The SMCISD board of trustees voted to instill a mask mandate at a special board meeting in August and revisited it in January when they voted to extend the mandate through spring break, as reported by Community Impact Newspaper.
“The mask mandate worked when vaccines were not available for all students and helped students and staff weather the delta and omicron surges. Now that guidance from public health experts is changing, we need to update our protocols,” the statement read.
Based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Community Levels tool, Hays County is deemed a low-risk county, and wearing a mask is not listed as a preventive measure.
“Together we have made it through this pandemic with grace, resilience and a strong commitment to our community. The pandemic is not over, but we will continue working together to keep each other safe and to support all students,” the statement read.
