LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) is ending its mask requirement. In a letter to parents, district spokesperson Mark Hebert said masks will no longer be required in JCPS schools, facilities and buses starting Thursday, March 10.
Those who want to continue wearing a mask may still do so and schools will still have masks available.
Hebert said Pollio will be able to adjust the policy through June 30. If Jefferson County moves back into a "high" level of COVID-19 spread, the mask mandate could be reinstated.
"While the mask mandate is being lifted, we should not let our guard down against COVID-19," Hebert said in a statement.
As of Wednesday, the area is in the "medium" level of community spread, according to the Kentucky Department of Health.
The updated guidance comes one day after the Jefferson County School Board voted to give Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio the authority to change the district's mask policy. The board voted to approve the motion 4-3 on Tuesday, but not everyone supported the decision.
"Having a mask mandate is the very reason we've been able to have kids in person for so long," said Board member Chris Kolb. "We have over 10,000 kids with disabilities. We have over 6,000 homeless kids. We have thousands of kids who live with grandparents. In other words, not having a mask mandate puts the majority of our students at significantly greater risk."
Kolb also said privileged people shouldn't get to decide when the threat is over.
During Tuesday's meeting, other board members discussed the impact of wearing masks in the classroom as well as potentially adjusting mask protocols for "high-risk" settings.
Data provided by the school district shows that positive cases are trending down. During the first week of January, more than 1,700 students and 500 staff members tested positive. The latest data from the week of Feb. 27 shows only about 70 students and 25 staff members tested positive.
The district said JCPS will continue its testing program and vaccination clinics for students, staff and their families. Around 32% of JCSP students are vaccinated, according to the most recent data.
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