Central School District 104 in O’Fallon to still require masks for students. For now

Central School District 104 in O’Fallon will continue requiring students, staff, teachers, and visitors to wear masks.

During a special school board meeting Monday, Superintendent Dawn Elser said because the school district wasn’t part of a suit filed against mask mandates, they do not have to follow a judge’s order.

Elser said she’s had conversations with legal counsel for the district and the Illinois State Board of Education, and the district has the authority to act in the best interests of the local community.

“I see no reason to change, with the numbers we have in the area. We will continue to wear masks. No student has refused to wear one. If things change, we can re-evaluate in two weeks,” Elser said.

Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow granted a temporary restraining order Friday, which prohibited mask requirements for numerous school districts in Illinois.

Parents had filed a suit against more than 140 school districts, the Illinois State Board of Education and Gov. J.B. Pritzker, stating there was no due process in the statewide mask order.

The meeting Monday was made available to the public through a Zoom link. Three parents commented in favor of the masks, and no one opposed said anything.

“I just want to thank the board for doing everything they can to keep our kids safe while respecting everyone’s opinions and navigating all of the legal decisions,” Jesika DeArmond said.

“I’m very grateful that 104 will stay masked,” Carolyn Atchley said.

“We appreciate the continued masking and protections for the kids,” Alicia Steele said.

Central has followed the safety protocols, Elser said.

She explained if a student tests positive, the county health department contacts the family and sets the quarantine guidelines, not the school district.

Remote instruction is only made available to those under quarantine as directed by the local health department or IDPH.

It is important to note these requirements are subject to change if updated by public health guidance and changing community public health conditions. The superintendent has the support of the board to change any of these requirements as necessary based on the changing data, according to the policy stated on its website.

November 2021 Return to Remote Learning

A COVID-19 outbreak at Central Elementary School in mid-November resulted in a switch to remote learning for two weeks after 37 students tested positive.

The school shutdown happened Nov. 15 and continued through Thanksgiving Break, until Nov. 28.

Elser explained they have been proactive.

“In all our classrooms, we wash our hands, we social distance,” she said.

COVID-19 Policy

Following the Illinois State Superintendent of Schools and the CDC, mask use indoors for students, staff and visitors to P-12 schools is required.

Any student or staff members who shows signs and symptoms of the coronavirus should stay home from school and contact a physician.

Those who test positive are required to adhere to guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and the Illinois State Board of Education.

Those guidelines include:

• 10 days must pass after the first symptoms appeared before returning to school.
• 72 hours must elapse from the resolution of fever without fever reducing medication before the student or staff member can return to school.
• Parents must call the nurse or building administrator to set up an appointment following the quarantine of their child before the child is permitted to return to school. A doctor’s note and or release from the IDPH is necessary for the student to return to school.

Close contacts to a positive case:

• If not vaccinated, 10 days must pass after the exposure before returning to school.
• If vaccinated, and close contact exhibits no symptoms, no quarantine is necessary.
• Parents should contact the school nurse when an exposure to a positive case has occurred.