LGSD schedules meetings on the lifting of mask mandates
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Monday, February 28th, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – (Information provided by the La Grande School District) Last week, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced they will lift statewide mask requirements for indoor public spaces and Oregon’s schools on March 19, 2022. After that time, mask requirements will be a local decision. It is important to continue implementation of indoor face coverings in schools until March 19 to help Oregon fully overcome its largest COVID-19 surge brought on by the Omicron variant. OAR 333-019-1015 will remain in effect until March 19.
As stated previously, LGSD will continue to move forward with an optional mask rule. The district’s consistent message with our state has been one of allowing school districts to work with local public health, local hospitals, and Union County Emergency Management to make decisions going forward.
The Oregon Department of Education also released a statement regarding lifting mask requirements for indoor public spaces and schools on March 19. ODE indicated that they are now working with OHA to update the Ready School Safe Learner (RSSL) Resiliency Framework. OHA and ODE are also partnering to develop practical updates to safety protocols for quarantine, contact tracing, and testing that meet the current conditions of the pandemic. Once our district receives these guidance updates, we will be reviewing the information and sharing this information in a town hall Google Meet format and during our regularly scheduled board meeting on March 9, 2022. Our projected date for a town hall presentation is March 3rd at 6:30 PM but we first need to receive and review the updated RSSL.
Finally, should you wish to know results of our mask survey data for student, staff, and parents and know more about our current LGSD advocacy related to optional masking, staff vaccination, contact tracing, and more, please review the Superintendent Report given to our Board of Directors at the February 23, 2022 board meeting.
