Mason City Community School District considering mask mandate

(ABC 6 News) – The Mason City Community School District Board of Education is considering mandating masks in its schools.

A mask mandate-related item will be on the agenda for the September 20 meeting.

The District says it in response to the temporary restraining order a federal judge in Des Moines granted on September 13 prohibiting the State of Iowa from enforcing section 280.31 (prohibiting public school districts from requiring masks or face coverings for employees, students, or visitors).

The order, which is effective immediately, allows each local school board to make the decision whether to require masks in school buildings as part of their COVID mitigation plan. The current mitigation plan for the district recommends the wearing of masks in school buildings.

Due to the physical limitations of the Board Room and the time limitations of Open Forum set by Board Policy 213, the Board is requesting written comments on this agenda item topic from the school district community and the Mason City community to help the Board make an informed decision about this question.

Students, staff, parents and the public may share their thoughts and opinions on the requirement of masks by visiting here.

These comments will be shared with the board directors prior to the meeting and included as a supporting document on the agenda and recorded in the minutes of the meeting the same as comments made during Open Forum.

Comments must be submitted by Friday, September 17 at 12:00 p.m.