Mask mandates set for schools

Although Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has not issued a mask mandate due to the spike in COVID-19 cases, individual groups, including schools and courts, are implementing mandates.

Dr. Kenneth Varner, superintendent of the Brewton City School Board, issued an order, approved by the school board, that began Wednesday to require masks for all students, staff and masks inside the school system's facilities until Friday, Sept. 10.

John Knott, superintendent of the Escambia County School System, said he plans to call a special school board meeting today (Thursday) and ask the board to implement a mask mandate for the county schools.

Escambia County's Presiding Circuit Judge Jeff White said he will require masks in the courtroom during large document calls and cases involving multiple parties.

Statistics from the Alabama Department of Public Health show 19,669 new positive COVID-19 cases across the state from Aug. 3 to Aug. 10. It also shows Escambia County saw an increase of 268 cases in the same time period.

"We need kids to stay in school," Varner said. "I'm an educator and we need our kids in schools."

Varner said he and the school board would look at the issue again after Labor Day and decide whether to extend the mask mandate or terminate the mandate based on data. He added that he stays in contact with health care officials to help guide the decisions.

Knott echoed Varner's sentiments that children need to be in the classroom, noting he wants to head off any potential problems that plagued schools last year.

Knott said he planned to call a special board meeting today and present his proposal for consideration. He also said his recommendation will be to require masks until the end of September and then the board can readdress the issue.

"Setting specific dates is useless," Knott said. "Things change on a daily basis and a weekly basis. But we want to keep our students and staff safe and keep them in school."

Knott and Varner both said the mask mandates would not include extra curricular activities held outside such as physical education and band.