Geary USD 475 Board of Education members have voted 7-0 to make the wearing of face masks optional in schools in Junction City, Grandview Plaza and Milford. Based on Department of Defense requirements the mask mandate will remain in effect for the District's schools on Fort Riley until DOD drops that restriction. The decision to make masks optional in off-Post schools is effective immediately.
The face mask requirement was a requirement implemented some time ago in the school district as a safety measure to help cope with COVID-19.
It was noted in the Board of Education meeting that the Centers for Disease Control have reduced the need for masks nationwide, and no longer requires people to wear a mask on buses or vans operated by a public or private school system. Based on that information the school district staff recommended that the masks be optional in the city schools and remain mandated in Fort Riley schools based on DOD requirements on Post.
The district’s Test to Stay Program will also be suspended, effective Tuesday, March 8. Instead, the district will only test students and staff for COVID-19 upon request.
If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, they shall not return to school or work for a minimum of five days (longer if they do not have lessening symptoms) and upon return are encouraged to wear a mask for five days or take a COVID-19 test.