Updated: Warren County Public Schools updates mask requirements for start of school year

Warren County Public Schools (WCPS) earlier today announced a change to its COVID-19 mitigation plan for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year and will require that everyone wear face masks indoors and on the school buses when school starts on August 17.

Updated 8-9-2021 – “We will continue to monitor our county and work to make the best decisions possible for our students while adhering to all state and federal laws,” WCPS Superintendent Christopher Ballenger told the Royal Examiner today.

The Warren County School Board during its regular meeting on Wednesday, August 4 approved the WCPS COVID-19 Mitigation Health Plan entitled “2021 Leading the Rebound,” which emphasizes the implementation of layered prevention strategies, including three phases for mask-wearing.

The next day, on Thursday, August 5, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam reminded public schools about the importance of implementing strong mitigation measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools and to keep students and staff safe as they return to in-person instruction this school year, according to a WCPS press release issued by Superintendent Christopher Ballenger on Monday, August 9.

“Virginia law (Chapter 456, S1303) requires that each school board shall… (ii) provide such in-person instruction in a manner in which it adheres, to the maximum extent practicable, to any currently applicable mitigation strategies for early childhood care and education programs and elementary and secondary schools to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 that have been provided by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),” said Northam, who also encouraged school divisions to consult with local counsel to ensure mitigation measures are in compliance with the law.

Meanwhile, the CDC recently updated its guidance for K-12 schools for the 2021-2022 school year and now recommends universal masking of students and staff, regardless of their vaccination status.

The CDC’s federal order requiring masks to be worn on public transportation also remains in effect, and the order does apply to school buses. And while the CDC uses the word “recommends” in its statement regarding masking, the language in law makes those recommendations a requirement, according to Ballenger’s press release.

Specifically, the term “shall” directs school divisions to implement the CDC guidance, Ballenger said, while the term “adheres” requires WCPS and other school districts to follow the recommendations.

“Based on this directive from Governor Northam, we will now open schools for students and staff in Phase 2 of our mitigation plan,” said Ballenger.

Phase 2 of the plan requires students and staff to wear a mask while indoors and on school buses. The other two phases, according to the WCPS reopening plan, are Phase 1, which dictates that face coverings will be “strongly encouraged” for all employees and students, “however, it is parent choice” whether their child wears one to school. Face coverings will not be required to be worn outdoors; and Phase 3, which requires masks for all students and staff indoors and outdoors, as well as increased social distancing.

During the newly announced Phase 2 mask requirement, Ballenger said that frequent mask breaks will be provided to students. Masks will not be required outdoors. Families who have a child with a health condition that may require special assistance should contact their child’s school, he said.

“WCPS will continue to monitor this evolving situation and adjust our mitigation plan accordingly to ensure we are in compliance with the law and to ensure we provide a safe and supportive school environment for all students,” Ballenger said.

Updated 8-9-2021 – “We worked on our phased plan to ensure that our division was able to make adjustments as determined by our data or other directives/guidance,” Ballenger wrote in an email.  “Our plan is flexible and will allow us to move as the CDC guidance is adjusted.  The statute is what makes the CDC recommendations a requirement.”