There could be a loosening of mask requirements for students and staff in the Grand Forks school district under a recommendation going before the school board next week.
According to a staff report the Smart Restart Committee is urging a new policy that replaces the mask mandate with a recommendation for face coverings for K-12 students and employees during the instructional day starting January 17th.
The recommendation is being made in part due to availability of COVID-19 vaccine to students ages 5-11. The committee says waiting until after the December holiday break also gives interested families time to get a shot.
The report acknowledges community COVID fatigue and enforcement challenges during athletic events among fans from both Grand Forks and the visiting team. In addition students are still congregating outside of school.
The mask recommendation would go into effect November 23rd for after school activities.
According to the data 64% of staff in the district have been vaccinated and 48% of those 12 to 17 in Grand Forks County have been jabbed.
Mask requirements would still be in place on school and activity buses.
The board is scheduled to meet Monday at 6:00 p.m.
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