Masks are again the center of debate as both the City of Manhattan and USD 383 implement changes to mask policies to start 2022.
For the school district, a special meeting has been called for 5:30 p.m. Monday where board members will consider a recommendation from Superintendent Dr. Marvin Wade, to implement a temporary return to a district wide mask requirement inside all indoor USD 383 facilities, regardless of vaccination status through Jan. 21. The district previously amended that requirement in October, allowing the high school and the district office, to relax its mask requirement to mask optional.
With the return of students to class Jan. 4, and concerns about a spike in new cases based on the highly contagious COVID-19 Omicron variant, the Medical Advisory Team recommended the change in an effort to slow any potential spread. The board plans to again review its pandemic response plan at its Jan. 19 meeting, as it has been doing once a month since the beginning of the school year.
New board members Jayme Morris-Hardeman and Christine Weixelman will take their seats on the board, replacing Jurdene Coleman and Katrina Lewison, both of whom are coming off the board.
Meanwhile Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr, who just before Christmas announced that masks would be required in all indoor city facilities beginning Dec. 27, has announced that starting Monday, that requirement will only apply to city employees. Visitors to city facilities are strongly recommended to mask up, but won’t be required.
Masks remain mandatory at the Manhattan Regional Airport, per federal regulations.
