Phenix City Schools making masks optional in all but one building. Here’s why
Phenix City Schools is making masks optional at all but one of its 15 sites.
As of Dec. 8, face coverings will be “highly recommended” but not mandatory in every PCS building except Westview Elementary School, superintendent Wilkes announced Tuesday in a letter to parents.
The distinction is based on whether a PCS school or office building meets both of two conditions:
- A 10-day positive COVID-19 testing rate of less than 1%.
- A weekly average daily attendance of at least 92%.
Westview is the only PCS site to not meet the criteria, based on the district’s most recent coronavirus report, covering the week ending Dec. 3.
Masks continue to be required on all school buses, per the federal mandate.
The Ledger-Enquirer asked Wilkes to explain the rationale for the policy change. This story will be updated after his response is received.
The coronavirus level in Phenix City Schools remained at three cases the week after Thanksgiving compared to the week before the break, according to the data posted on its website.
The only difference is that the three cases during the week ending Nov. 19 all are students, and the three cases during the week ending Dec. 3 are two students and one employee.
The highest level of coronavirus in PCS this school year was 80 cases (74 students, six employees) the week ending Sept. 3. The lowest level came the week ending Nov. 12, when PCS had no cases.
PCS has approximately 7,340 students and 860 employees.
This story was originally published December 7, 2021 at 5:00 PM.
