As parents begin to plan for the new school year this fall, uncertainty continues to mount, especially following the latest CDC mask recommendation, which states that masks should be worn indoors in all K-12 schools, including teachers, staff, students, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.
However, earlier this month, the CDC issued guidance that stated that vaccinated teachers and students do not have to wear masks in schools and recommended that those unvaccinated continue to wear masks. IDPH adopted those recommendations, but the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) indicated the ultimate decision on masks would be left up to local schools.
Now that the CDC issued different guidance, it’s unclear whether ISBE will continue to provide local control to school districts. Nearly 250 school superintendents throughout the state recently sent a letter to the Governor and ISBE advocating for the authority to make the best safety decisions for their students and staff. That letter can be found here.