Despite a recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the state of Alaska, the Mat-Su Borough School District announced that they will be opening schools at the low risk level. This means that the district will not impose a mask policy for the upcoming school year.
Superintendent Randy Trani presented the mitigation plan to the Mat-Su School Board on Wednesday evening.
“Masks will not be required. They are always recommended and that’s an individual choice.”
In a recent survey by the school district, 71% of of 757 respondents felt that the school district should discontinue using face masks as part of its Covid-19 mitigation effort.
However, Dr. Trani said that the mitigation plan is intended to be fluid and if cases of Covid-19 are reported at individual schools, masks may be required at those locations.
“In a medium risk situation, masks may be required, and there’s no single metric that’s going to be able to decide this. This is where the Health Advisory Team comes in, working with out medical experts.”
Members of the School Board pushed back and asked whether there was a requirement to follow the public health recommendations. Dr. Trani assured the Board that the school’s insurance underwriters do require compliance and that the schools would follow state guidance.
Students who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 will not be deemed a “close contact” and will not be required to quarantine if exposed to the virus. Those who have not been vaccinated will be required to quarantine for fourteen days or until they are cleared by contact tracers.
Students will be allowed to use lockers at the school this year. Also, the district is planning to hold school activities and sport seasons as usual. Spectators will be allowed at events.
The Mat-Su School District will also offer at-home learning options for all students and their families.
