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USD 115 keeps mask requirement

By Bob Wolfgang and Greg Bebermeyer

04/21/2021

(KMZA)--Face masks will still be required in Nemaha Central schools for students and staff despite a request from group of patrons at last week's USD 115 Board of Education meeting for a change to the district's policy.

Patrons John Jost, Amy Rottinghaus, Karla Kramer and Kathy Holthaus addressed the Board, asking the district's mask policy be changed from " required” to “ recommended.”

The group cited the low number of COVID-19 cases in the county, along with health and social risks of continued mask use. Coronavirus cases in Nemaha County have remained in the single digits since early March.

Following discussion, a motion by board member John Deters, and seconded by board member Joe Reitz, to make masks "recommended" instead of required failed on a 2-5 vote.

Reitz noted that times have changed since the board established its policy, and no longer saw a need for masks in a school setting.

Board members in favor of keeping the mask requirement expressed their desire to finish the school year without quarantines or disruptions in school and activities.

Superintendent Darrel Kohlman told the board he would like to see summer school with “ no masks required” if cases in the county continue to stay low. In addition, he said he would like to move forward with plans to start next school year without a mask mandate if the number of positive cases remains low.

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