From Staff Reports
A decision on whether students will wear masks for the beginning of the fall semester has yet to be made in Okarche.
Josh Sumrall, Okarche Schools Superintendent, set Aug. 13 as the start date.
Sumrall said he met with principals Monday, July 20, to discuss the issue.
On Friday, July 17, Oklahoma City Council voted to require masks by anyone older than 10 until Sept. 8 indoors in public. Piedmont and Yukon school officials will require masks for all ages when they open the doors Aug. 20. Mustang Schools will require masks for students in fifth grade and older.
“An overall decision has not yet been made about masks,” Sumerall said.
The State Board of Education meets on Friday, July 24 and could address the mask issue, Sumrall said..
“We are monitoring things on a day to day basis, but because things are changing every day we are not making a decision yet,” Sumrall said.
In a letter to the district addressed Sunday, Sumrall wrote: As I stated in my letter on July 1st, school is scheduled to start for students on August 13th. That start date is still on schedule. I understand the current state of the nation and Oklahoma and that the coronavirus issue is still a day-to-day changing struggle. Please understand that school officials are continuing to monitor the day-to-day changes and possible mandates. I appreciate those that have reached out to me with the support for school to open back up normal and those that have concerns about safety precautions. Those concerns and opinions are being considered. We will continue monitoring the situation and will adjust school procedures and planned safety precautions as they are needed. Also, please contact the school if your child(ren) or family has a situation that warrants special circumstances.
Those situations will be handled on an individual basis. I will continue to send out updates in the next few weeks as the school start date grows closer. In closing, please continue to pray for our school, community and teachers/staff members as this situation is trying on everyone involved.”
