Dear Staff and Families,
On February 17, 2022, Governor Inslee announced that the statewide indoor mask mandate will be lifted on March 21, 2022, due to an anticipated continued decline in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. This announcement means that masks no longer will be required in indoor settings, including in schools. This announcement applies to both students and staff.
We understand that staff and families may have concerns and questions about the announcement; however, school districts do not have any additional information about the governor’s announcement at this time.
The Washington State Department of Health is expected to release updated guidance for schools in the coming weeks, which will outline school health and safety requirements and may include revisions to other mitigation measures such as contact tracing. Our school district leaders will review these guidelines when they are released and share information as soon as possible thereafter.
Many details still need to be understood and worked out before schools implement changes to masking policies. The state continues to require masks to be worn in schools across the state until March 21, 2022, and early abandonment of this requirement could result in health, safety, legal, and financial consequences for schools.
We will continue to share information as we have it, and appreciate your ongoing patience and understanding.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ralph Pruitt