Following considerable discussion and data gathering from Superintendent Chris Bentzel and his staff, the Christian County Public Schools Board of Education unanimously opted Thursday night to shift from a “mask mandate” to “mask optional” for faculty, staff, students and visitors on its campuses — in what is the first shift toward a return to pre-pandemic environments.
Among the many data points he shared Thursday night — only 33 active cases of COVID-19 district-wide as of Tuesday night, Governor Andy Beshear’s executive order allowing those 18-and-older to get boosters, Pfizer’s recent reveal of a 5-to-11-year-old vaccination dose, and a trend downward in positivity rate and incidence rate county-wide — Bentzel noted one of the bigger points came from district-wide polling, in which staff members, teachers, students and parents were asked if “mask optional” was fair.
As of Thursday night, Christian County’s incidence rate was holding at 14.8 per 100,000 people with testing positivity at 1.98%. To date, Christian County has logged 10,467 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began in March 2020, with 133 deaths attributed to the virus.
Bentzel noted the district hasn’t had a positive come from its test-to-stay measures since November 4, nor has anyone been hospitalized in the same time frame. In a “mask optional” setting, Bentzel added anyone wishing to remain masked has the opportunity — and the right — to do so, while other protective measures like testing-to-stay, hand-washing, social-distancing where applicable, quarantines and a continued focus on vaccination clinics will remain in place.
The school board’s motion and approval had two caveats installed, as well.
First and foremost, this does not lift the mask mandate that currently exists nationwide on all forms of mass transportation, and as such, all students, faculty, staff and visitors will still be required to wear masks while on buses for the district.
Secondly, the Board gave Bentzel ultimate authority — following guidance — to reimpose a mask mandate “in whole, or in part, in the event the incidence of COVID-19 in the district (or any school) should require mandatory masking.”
Bentzel said this would be a “trial run,” as the district — and the country — prepare for three straight family-oriented holidays in Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. With less than 20 days remaining of school before students shuffle off for Winter Break, Bentzel iterated it’s possible incidence rates spike back up, which would require a reconvening of minds and a return to masks.
For now, though, Christian County Public Schools will proceed with this until further notice.
Board member Mike Walker thanked Bentzel for his guidance, and opened discussions regarding possible vaccine opportunities for elementary school students in the district.
Christian County Schools officials recently opted to take a full week for Thanksgiving Break.
