The Springfield Public School District says it plans to keep its mask mandate in place until Christmas break.
This comes after State Attorney General Eric Schmitt sent a letter earlier this week warning school districts and public health departments to stop enforcing COVID-19 related health orders.
Schmitt cited a Cole County judge’s ruling that says health orders issued by local authorities under state health regulations were null and void.
You can read the Wednesday letter from Springfield Public Schools below:
“Dear SPS Staff and Families:
On numerous occasions, SPS has publicly stated our intent to remove the district’s current masking requirement in January – once our youngest students have had an opportunity to be fully vaccinated. Our intention remains unchanged.
Yesterday, school districts and public health agencies across Missouri received a letter from the Missouri Attorney General with significant implications for how school districts and local communities are able to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This opinion is based on the Attorney General’s interpretation of a decision that involved the Department of Health and Senior Services. That decision was issued by the Circuit Court in Cole County, Missouri on November 22, 2021.
First, there is a 30-day period before this decision becomes final. Consequently, there is no final judgement in this case until December 23. Furthermore, there is significant disagreement about how and if the Cole County decision even applies to public schools. A full review by attorneys for Missouri public school districts, including SPS, is currently underway.
In the meantime, the district’s COVID-19 health protocols remain unchanged through the end of the first semester on December 22. Once the legal review is complete, SPS will determine if modifications to our pandemic response are needed, and if so, will communicate that to you directly as soon as possible.
As the pandemic continues, we remain focused on providing five days of quality, in-person learning in a safe, healthy environment for all students.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.”
In response, Attorney General Schmitt wrote on Twitter:
“Springfield Public School bureaucrats are in free fall— hiding documents on #CRT now allegedly punishing kids because the district refuses to relinquish their unlawful mask mandate.
They have disrespected parents long enough. The tide is turning”
