FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Fayetteville Board of Education has voted in support of requiring students to wear face coverings during the upcoming school year.
A special meeting was held Thursday (July 16) morning at the Fayetteville High School Cafeteria, where new policies on face masks and COVID-19 screenings were discussed.
All students K-12 will be required to wear a mask under the policy.
“I expected it. I think you see across the board that we’ve seen statistics after statistics from health professionals, the CDC, the people who do this day in and day out. They say that masks are effective,” Megan Boeving said.
Megan Boeving has three kids who go to Holcomb Elementary School. She says their family has been wearing masks for months and has been teaching her kids the right and wrong ways to wear their masks and why it’s essential for them to wear them.
“Having them understand the importance of it makes it where it’s not going to be as difficult for them to wear them in school and I think right now, them making the decision today gives us a month to make sure we are trying out different masks, trying to see what might work best for our kids, that way when we start school come August, they are really ready to wear them,” she said.
Students will be required to wear the mask while attending school or a school function in any school building, facility or other areas of a school campus, and when riding in school-provided transportation.
All face coverings must cover the nose and mouth of the student.
The policy applies to students waiting outside school buildings before and after school, and to students waiting at a bus stop.
Superintendent Dr. John L Colbert says, like in all situations, they always put the safety of students and staff first.
“We’re trying to make sure we have things in place, so when we get ready to return to school, everyone will be on the same page and understand that when they return, they must wear a mask,” he said.
Just like Boeving said, Colbert, says making this decision now gives parents time to make sure they are comfortable with wearing a mask before the school year starts. He knows this may be a challenge for parents with younger children.
“We will try to create situations during that time because it does say that if we cannot create the social distancing, you will wear the mask, but there will be times we do create that, so it will give kids that opportunity to remove that mask.”
Students may remove their mask when:
- They are eating or drinking
- When appropriate social distancing measures are in place
- Have a documented medical issue
- Based on instructional needs and other activities, determined by a teacher
- Students may be exempt based on special behavior or individual needs as determined by the Director of Special Services or the Director of Student Services
Students who refuse to wear a face mask at school or a school function under the policy will be required to leave the school campus.