Despite pleas from state health officials for folks — especially students — to mask up, local schools are not changing course.
Center Grove, Franklin, Greenwood and Indian Creek schools will begin the 2021-22 school year this week, and, at least for the time being, masks will remain optional. Clark-Pleasant and Edinburgh schools returned last week.
All six districts left the decision to students and their parents in their respective back-to-school plans, and while their plans aren’t changing for now, the plans of other central Indiana districts and recommendations from health officials have shifted.
More than 55% of the county’s eligible population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but the Delta variant, which can be spread by vaccinated people, has resulted in an increase in cases. A month ago, the county’s rolling daily average of positive cases was about three a day. On Monday, that average was 27, an 800% increase, according to data from the Indiana Department of Health.
Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended everyone, regardless of their vaccination status, wear a mask indoors if there is a significant level of COVID-19 transmission.
Kristina Box, state health commissioner, echoed that guidance during a news conference Friday, recommending schools require students to wear masks. Those age 12 and under still cannot get vaccinated.
Indianapolis Public Schools was the largest Indiana school district to follow that recommendation, requiring masks of all students and staff members to start the school year.
Colleges are making similar moves, including the University of Indianapolis, Purdue University, the University of Evansville and the University of Southern Indiana. All four will start the school year with a mask requirement.
Local schools, however, aren’t changing their guidance just yet.
At Indian Creek schools, masks will likely continue to be optional unless there is a change in state law or a COVID-19 outbreak, said Tim Edsell, superintendent.
“We would look at the situation (if) there would be an increase that would be significant, and we would work with the local health department on guidance on how to proceed,” Edsell said.
Officials with the Johnson County Health Department will meet Tuesday to discuss guidance for schools moving forward, said Betsy Swearingen, health department director.
The current recommendation is for schools to require masks of unvaccinated students, but the decision is ultimately up to school leaders, she said.
At Center Grove schools, officials said they don’t anticipate a change unless it is requested, not recommended, by the health department, spokesperson Stacy Conrad said.
Greenwood schools is prepared for any changes in guidance that might come from the county health department, said Terry Terhune, superintendent.
“Last year, the guidance changed pretty rapidly and schools adapted,” Terhune said. “If the guidance were to change, I feel like we could get the word out quickly. Any decision we make will be based on the guidance from health officials and what would be in the best interest of our kids.”
