Austin School Board approves universal mask mandate at Monday meeting

The Austin Public School Board voted to implement a universal mask mandate for the district at a special meetign Monday.  

Austin Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joey Page stated in a news release that due to the change in the protocols of quarantine, the increased transmission of COVID-19 in the district and the district’s goal to preserve in-person instruction, the Austin School Board has determined that the District needs to move from Stage 2 to Stage 3 on their COVID matrix which means that beginning on Wednesday, September 29; masks will be required for all staff, students, and visitors inside all district buildings during the building’s instructional day until further notice.

Currently, Austin Public Schools have 110 students isolating or quarantining due to either a possible COVID-19 exposure or a positive test result.  An additional 19 students will return to school this week after isolating or quarantining for ten days.  Dr. Page went on to report that public health agencies will continue to guide the District’s decision-making process as the school year progresses, and he added that the goal is to provide as much in-person learning as possible based on COVID-19 case rates, state guidance, and the ability to staff the schools in the district, and to fill absences adequately.  

Dr. Page stated that the health and safety of staff and students is the district’s top priority, and he added that a number of additional safety measures and information can be accessed on the district’s website at www.austin.k12.mn.us.