By Andy Klotz—
Masks still required on bus due to federal mandate.
MUNCIE, Ind. – Students, staff and visitors of Muncie Community Schools (MCS) are no longer required to wear a mask inside MCS buildings, effective immediately. The change comes just days after the Indiana Department of Health changed its guidance to schools on the issue. The MCS Board of Trustees approved the change as recommended by MCS Director of Public Education and CEO Lee Ann Kwiatkowski at Tuesday evening’s school board meeting.
“We’ve seen COVID cases plummet from several weeks ago and after consulting with our local health officials, this seemed to be the right step to take,” Dr. Kwiatkowski said. “We’ve always said the data would dictate our decisions on COVID policies, and it’s finally time to move past the masks.”
While masks are now optional at all MCS buildings and events, a federal mandate requires that they still be worn on the bus before and after school. In addition, MCS will no longer conduct contact tracing or require quarantine periods for those in close contact with people who test positive.
The district recommends that anyone experiencing symptoms should get tested, and anyone testing positive still needs to quarantine for five days, but can return on day 6 with improving symptoms and no fever. MCS has also lifted its vaccine mandate for school volunteers.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to see the smiles on our students’ faces,” Kwiatkowski said. “Many of us are looking forward to that.”
Listen to the entire board meeting below.
About Muncie Community Schools
Serving the local community since 1855, Muncie Community Schools (MCS) educates more than 5,000 students at six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school while also managing several other educational facilities. Through its unique partnership with Ball State University, MCS strives to maximize each student’s potential so he or she can be a positive, productive member of society. Find out more about MCS or Director of Public Education and CEO Lee Ann Kwiatkowski at muncieschools.org.
