Most SEI Schools Will Make Masks Optional For 2021-22 School Year

Per the governor, school corporations will be responsible for implementing their own safety measures.

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(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - The 2021-22 school year is here, and school districts throughout the state of Indiana have the power to choose whether staff and students wear face coverings or not. 

Per Governor Holcomb’s Executive Order 21-15 dated May 25, 2021, “as of July 1, 2021, local school boards and/or the relevant governing bodies of all public and private K-12 educational institutions will be responsible for implementing whatever measures and restrictions deemed necessary and prudent to address the impact and spread of COVID-19 for their buildings, facilities and ground to include transportation.“

Below, you can find mask information from Return to In-Person Instruction Plan's from several area school. 

• Batesville Community Schools: Masks will be optional in the classroom, but mandatory on buses.  
• Franklin County Community Schools: Face coverings are not necessary for fully vaccinated students and staff. Masks are highly recommended for unvaccinated students and staff, but not required. Face coverings are still required on school buses regardless of vaccination status per current federal CDC order. 
• Lawrenceburg Community Schools: Feels it is an individual decision as to whether a mask or face covering should be worn for safety purposes.
• Milan Community Schools: Masks are not required, but will be allowed. 
• Rising Sun - Ohio County Community Schools: Masks are no longer required, but are permitted. 
• South Dearborn Community Schools: The use of masks or other PPE for staff and students is optional. This includes all school provided transportation. 
• South Ripley Community Schools: Masks will be provided, if required or requested, at all buildings and events. If there is no mask mandate, students and staff will still be able to wear a face covering if they choose.
• Sunman-Dearborn Community Schools: Masks will not be required in schools or on buses. 
• Switzerland County Community Schools: Masks are optional for all students grades 3 and up while at school facilities and functions. Staff may have masks and face shields on when working directly with students less than six feet. Students are required to wear masks while riding all school transportation per Federal mandate.

These measures will be subject to change at all area schools. 

In Dearborn County, health officer Dr. Stephen Eliason says he has talked with superintendents to try and get things as close to normal this school year. 

"For that to happen, the best thing to do is get vaccinated," said Eliason. " I don't work for a pharmaceutical company. I've live here for 20 years, I love the county and care about the people. That's why I'm saying this." 

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