When Bowling Green City School students start the school year on Monday, all grade levels will be required to wear masks.
Superintendent Francis Scruci sent out a letter Thursday afternoon to parents, guardians and staff.
“As you know, our Board of Education charged me with making the decision moving forward in regards to masks in our schools. I have monitored the COVID numbers and current conditions in Wood County as well as and more specifically the 43402” ZIP Code area, Scruci wrote.
The area has seen a steady increase in COVID numbers beginning on Aug. 16 with 26 cases, and increasing to 70 cases on Aug. 26. That is an incidence number of 84 cases per 100,000 residents on Aug. 16, climbing to 217 cases on Aug. 26.
“This is concerning as we return to the classroom on Monday. In addition, we are seeing a similar increase in numbers in other districts who have already returned to class,” Scruci wrote.
“I take this decision very seriously and consider many factors, but I always come back to the most important consideration. That consideration is keeping our kids in school every day all year without loss of direct instruction due to being quarantined,” he wrote.
Based on the increase in the number of cases and the incidence level, beginning Monday, Aug. 30, the Bowling Green City Schools will be requiring masks for kindergarten – 12th grade for students and staff. This will remain in effect until further notice.
Scruci said that each day he will continue to monitor the numbers in the district’s ZIP Codes, the numbers within the school community once students are in class, and work with the guidance from the Wood County Health Department.
“While I know that many of you will be relieved, I am also equally aware that there will be many of you that will not be happy,” he wrote. “This decision is based on keeping our students safe, healthy, and in school.” A child who is masked regardless of vaccination status, may remain in the classroom based on the quarantine guidelines shared by the CDC, Ohio Department of Health, and Wood County Health Department.
