BOE votes to implement mask mandate

Under New Business during the August 23 Wichita Board of Education meeting, members voted 6-0 to require masks for all individuals in district buildings ages 3 and up starting Monday, August 30, based on recent guidance from state and local public health experts. Watch the BOE discussion and vote.

Below was communication sent out to WPS families about the change:

Good evening parents and caregivers,

At tonight’s Board of Education meeting, BOE Vice President Blankley brought up an item through new business, requesting that the Board of Education implement a mask mandate. BOE members accepted this new item for discussion, and after conversation amongst members and a review of current data, the Board of Education voted 6-0 (with Mia Turner absent) to implement a mask mandate for all individuals (including all WPS employees and students) ages 3 and up, while indoors. The adopted motion will take effect on Monday, August 30. This mandate will be evaluated periodically to determine when it is advisable under public health recommendations for us to return to masking being strongly recommended.

Our district’s Pandemic Leadership Team will immediately meet to determine whether the BOE’s new business action item this evening requires any preparation or action prior to Monday. Should you have any questions, please send them to info@usd259.net. We will use your questions to update our web site FAQs and also guide additional information that we share with families and students in the coming days. Additionally, we will be finalizing all of our WPS data report formats and post them on the WPS web site ASAP (www.usd259.org/COVIDreport).

Student safety always has – and will continue to be – of paramount importance to the Wichita Public Schools. Thank you for your on-going support of our school district!

Regards,

Dr. Alicia Thompson

Superintendent