By WIBW TV
MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) - The Manhattan-Ogden School District approved a plan making masks optional in their high schools.
USD 383 heard the proposal from Superintendent Dr. Marvin Wade at its Wednesday night meeting. The district has had a mask requirement since students returned to class in person.
Under the proposal, starting Nov. 1, masks will be optional for students, staff, and visitors at Manhattan High School’s east and west campuses. Masks would continue to be required for students, staff and visitors at the district’s middle schools, elementary schools, early learning centers, and any other indoor USD 383 facility. In addition, masks would be required on district transportation, under federal requirements.
The changes will be in effect from Nov. 1 through 19, which the district says is a three-week, uninterrupted block of school days. They will use the time to evaluate case numbers, masking options, and testing capabilities. The board would then take action on another update to its Pandemic Response Plan before Nov. 19. They could opt to re-instate district-wide masking requirements at that time.