BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The Bismarck School Board has voted to end the district’s mask requirement and its contract tracing efforts beginning May 4.
The decision Monday evening was met with applause from dozens of people attending the board meeting. The mask mandate has been in place since last fall. Some parents have spoken out against the policy at least two school board meetings this school year.
Superintendent Jason Hornbacher recommended the board lift the mask mandate given Gov. Doug Burgum’s decision to end the state of emergency related to the pandemic, the availability of vaccines for staff and the low numbers of COVID-19 cases among students and staff.
The state’s COVID-19 school dashboard on Monday showed 31 active virus cases in Bismarck students and no cases in staff, the Bismarck Tribune reported. Last week, Burgum announced that the state of emergency and executive orders related to the pandemic will end this Friday.
The district will work over the next few days to develop health and safety protocols with optional masking, distance learning, graduation, busing and other activities, Hornbacher said.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.