Of Johnson County’s large districts, only one is left with high school mask mandate
The Blue Valley school district will drop its mask mandate in high schools after Thanksgiving.
After the neighboring Olathe district made the same move last week, the Blue Valley school board on Monday voted 6-1 to make masks optional for grades nine and above, including for high school staff and visitors. The change will go into effect on Nov. 29.
Shawnee Mission is now the only larger district in Johnson County that has yet to change its mask mandate in high schools.
Officials said the decision was made in response to declining spread of COVID-19, including in schools, as well as a higher number of students and adults receiving the vaccine.
“Two driving forces have influenced decisions this year — the safety of our staff and students and keeping our students in school full time. This commitment has, in part, helped Blue Valley take an important next step in this pandemic,” district officials said in a statement.
Elementary and middle school students will still wear masks, following the Johnson County public health order requiring masks in schools that serve students as old as sixth grade. Masks are still required on buses due to federal regulations.
Before Olathe, the De Soto district agreed to remove the mask mandate for high schoolers last month. Gardner Edgerton continues to require masks for everyone, while Spring Hill only mandates them for younger students.
The Blue Valley school board’s decision came with mixed reactions, with some applauding the choice and others worried about students returning to maskless classrooms following family holiday gatherings.
Officials said Blue Valley will “monitor data, remain nimble and work to maintain the best learning environment possible.”
If the percentage of positive cases and exclusions at a building rises above 3%, the mask mandate will return for at least two weeks, officials said.
