Waves of districts are ending their mask mandates even as some administrators elsewhere impose them for the first time this school year because of ongoing COVID outbreaks.
The human faces of the grim toll COVID's has taken on teachers and school staffers are being shared daily on a Twitter feed called "School Personnel Lost To Covid."
As waves of educators fall ill and new deaths are reported weekly, districts are giving teachers and eligible students cash and other incentives to combat COVID.
The Illinois board of education says it will reach out to districts to discuss the mandate requirement. Within 60 days of the conference, the districts on probation must submit a corrective plan to the regional superintendent of schools and state superintendent.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says districts may have to require vaccinations and also urges students and teachers to keep wearing masks when the school year starts.
Giving up some authority is key to building strong relationships with local businesses, says Akron Public Schools superintendent noted for creating successful career academies.
