FORT SMITH, Ark. — The Fort Smith Board of Education hosted a meeting Monday (July 20) evening to discuss a face mask policy and the starting date for the upcoming school year.
Watch the meeting here:
Monday's meeting started with the board adopting a resolution to allow schools to acquire personal protective equipment (PPE). The board is currently working on securing more fogger machines to help sanitize schools in the district.
The discussion then shifted to the start of the school year date. The board voted unanimously to start the 2020-2021 school year on August 24 and end it on May 28. There will be virtual learning days scattered throughout the year when students would traditionally be on holiday break.
Superintendent Doug Brubaker says he knows the masks will take some getting used to.
“It's just a matter of practicing and teaching and building up over time that is what I am hearing from some parents you know it has taken some conditioning on our part as the grown-ups," Brubaker said.
Sarah Tomlin teaches at Northside High School and says preparing for this upcoming school year has been all about flexibility.
"I understand there is a lot changing, the numbers are changing every day and that there are as discussed tonight numerable pathways that we can take," she said.
Tomlin says at the end of the day she has full faith Fort Smith students will adapt to the new policies as best they can.
"I know that they look out for each other, they look out for their teachers and there older relatives, I know it is going to be an interesting year going forward but I have faith we will be all on board," Tomlin said.
Fort Smith schools will work with the Arkansas Department of Health if an outbreak happens on their campus.
All board members voted to adopt a face mask policy for students.
Under the policy, all students kindergarten through 12th grade shall be required to wear a mask or face covering while attending school or a school function in any school building, district facility or other areas of a school campus or the district's grounds, and when riding in school-provided transportation. All face coverings must cover a student's mouth and nose. The policy applies to students waiting outside school buildings before and after school, and to students waiting at bus stops.
Students shall wear masks and face coverings at all times except for the following:
- Students may remove masks and face coverings for eating or drinking;
- Students may remove masks and face coverings when appropriate social distancing measures are in place as determined by a teacher or school administrator;
- Students may be exempted from this emergency policy by the school principal due to a documented medical condition or disability of the student;
- Students may remove masks and face coverings on a case-by-case basis for specific instructional needs, including physical education activities, as determined by a teacher, in which case the teacher will require appropriate social distancing measures to the extent possible;
- Students may remove masks and face coverings while participating in athletic activities where a six feet distance is not achievable, but a mask is inhibitory to the activity or active exercise; or
- Students may be exempted from this emergency policy due to a special behavioral or individual needs as determined by the Director of Special Education or the Executive Director of Student Services.
Students who refuse to wear a mask or face covering at school or at a school function under this Emergency Policy shall be subject to discipline consistent with District Policy and exclusion from on-site instruction.
Under this policy, all District employees shall be required to wear a mask or face covering while working or attending a school function in any school building, District facility or other area of a school campus or the District’s grounds. All masks and face coverings must cover the nose and mouth of the employee. Employees shall wear masks and face coverings at all times except for the following:
- Employees may remove masks and face coverings for eating and drinking;
- Employees may remove masks and face coverings when appropriate social distancing measures are in place
- Employees may remove masks and face-covering when six feet distance is not achievable, but a mask is inhibitory to the ability to safely and effectively perform an employee’s job duty
- Employees may remove masks and face-covering while participating in athletic activities where a six feet distance is not achievable, but a mask is inhibitory to the activity or active exercise.
- Employees may be exempted from this Emergency Policy by the school principal or the Superintendent due to a documented medical condition or disability of the employee.
Employees who refuse to wear a mask or face covering at school or at a school function under this Emergency Policy shall be subject to discipline consistent with District Policy, suspension without pay and/or termination.
Check back for updates to this developing story.