At Thursday evening’s meeting of the United School District, board members approved an amendment that makes mask wearing optional for the upcoming school year.
Superintendent Jeff Whitsitt said public comment at the meeting was overwhelmingly opposed to the mask mandate issued by Governor JB Pritzker earlier this month.
“In the United School District come Monday and Wednesday, when we enter our buildings it’s up to you,” Whitsitt said. Our policy reads that it’s recommended to wear a mask, but it’s optional.”
In the meantime, Superintendent Whitsitt also discussed what the repercussions might be for the district’s decision to defy the state mandate.
“We received a letter from our state superintendent, and the big term is ‘loss of recognition,'” Whitsitt said. “If (the state) doesn’t recognize us as a school district, that’s the one hammer they have. All the other things are subsets under that, like we can’t play ball with the IHSA, that our diplomas won’t be recognized, federal funding that flows through the state could be impacted.”
To listen to the entire interview with Superintendent Whitsitt, please click the link below:
