FORT SMITH - It looks as if students in the Fort Smith School District will be masking up when they report for classes next week. The Fort Smith Board of Education voted on Monday night to approve a sixty day mask mandate for students, school visitors, and passengers on school buses carrying two or more persons.
While the Arkansas legislature had voted last week to uphold a ban on mask mandates, Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox granted an injunction on Friday that would allow them to continue for the time being.
School Board Member Dalton Person took to Twitter Monday night, acknowledging the pressure board members were under, however he says that in his opinion the safety of children outweighs personal ambition.
“It was an unpopular decision for us but the right one,” Person said.
Other local officials said they were in favor of the decision as well.
“I appreciate the strong leadership stance and the vote taken by the Fort Smith Board of Education tonight to implement a mask mandate for our public schools,” Fort Smith Vice Mayor Jarred Rego said on social media. “As the parent of three young kids, I’m grateful that the Board had the courage to cut through arguments and politics and kept their focus on how to use every available tool to protect students and keep our schools open. Looking out for the health and well-being of our children (especially those under the age of 12 who aren’t eligible to be vaccinated) is the right thing to do and I applaud this important decision!”
Other school districts in the area are continuing to absorb information as they make their decisions.
“Greenwood Public Schools will continue to closely monitor the legal proceedings in this case and will communicate updates to our local Board of Education and community stakeholders.” said Dr. John Ciesla, Superintendent.
