Monday is the first day public schools in Arkansas can open, with most in the Twin Lakes Area beginning classes.
School opens today in the Norfork, Cotter, Flippin, Yellville-Summit, Izard County, Salem and Marshall (Searcy County). Ozark Mountain and Viola open Tuesday, while Mountain Home, Mountain Home Christian Academy and Calico Rock begin classes Wednesday.
With COVID-19 at a high level of spread across the state of Arkansas, each school district is currently able to make its own decision on the use of facemask due to the recent ruling by Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox.
Fox ruled on Aug. 6 that Act 1002 – legislation passed this spring which prohibits schools and other governemental agencies from issuing mask mandates was invalid due to violating the Arkansas Constitution. Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced she would appeal the ruling to the Arkansas Supreme Court.
None of the schools beginning classes today have issued mandates, but most are encouraging their use.
At Norfork, officials say, “the wearing of facemasks will be a choice for all students, faculty and staff at this time. Norfork School District reserves the right to enforce mandated wearing of masks depending on future legislation, court decisions, and virus activity in and around our school district.”
The Cotter District says, “based on current CDC guidelines Cotter Public Schools recommends wearing a mask/face covering, but it is not required.”
Masks care encouraged at each of the other school districts opening Monday to wear a mask when social distancing is not possible, such as school hallways. Social distancing is defined as six feet of seperation from each person.
Officials at each school remind drivers to be especially vigilant for school buses and students waiting to board them. Drivers must stop for all school buses when their lights are flashing, no matter the vehicles direction of travel, even on five-lane highways such as U.S. Highway 62/412.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI