Seminole Public School District is implementing a new less restrictive mask policy on a trial basis, beginning with the upcoming summer sessions, Camp I Can for PK-8th Grades, and Credit Recovery Classes for 9th – 12th Grades at the High School.

With COVID numbers down in the school and community, the policy is moving to a mask recommendation policy on a trial basis beginning immediately with the upcoming summer activities. Masks will not be required, rather they will be recommended.

As the district implements this new policy, officials plan to seek input from parents, staff and community members during the trial period, and will review the policy on an updated basis at the June, July, and August school board meetings.

Any student or employee who wants to wear a mask will be respected in that decision, and any student or staff who needs precautionary accommodations for personnel protection will be respected with as much PPE as is reasonable and possible. The district administration plans to continue to follow CDC and Local Health Department guidance in terms of sanitizing, monitoring and following the guidance regarding COVID-19.

Dr. Bob Gragg, Superintendent of Seminole Public Schools, says “Our goal in lessening the restrictions on the mask policy is to have a mask recommendation and not a mask mandate when we open school in the fall and continuing with that mask recommendation (not mandated) throughout the 2021-2022 school year. In order to do so moving forward will be pending continued low numbers of positive cases, and reaching more and more staff and students with vaccinations.”