For Immediate Release – January 22, 2022
Dear Parents and Community Members,
For the past two years, Paris Union School District No. 95 has been doing its best to keep up with the ongoing changes in state guidance, mandates, and executive orders revolving around the pandemic. Throughout all of the changes, our goals have been to maintain a safe school environment, keep students in school learning, and provide a consistent, nurturing environment for all students. This letter is to inform you of another event that could potentially impact school districts in the coming weeks.
A current court case regarding face masking in schools is expected to have a final judgement this upcoming week. The outcome of this judgement could have an impact on school districts throughout the state of Illinois. It is anticipated that the Judge will make one of the following determinations:
1. Make facemasks optional for the students that were involved in the lawsuit.
2. Make facemasks optional for the school districts that were involved in the lawsuit.
3. Make facemasks optional statewide regardless of who was involved in the lawsuit.
4. Allow school districts to locally determine if facemasks are required.
Additionally, after the judgement, there is an anticipated appellate decision that will come out ten days later that could potentially reverse the lower court’s decision.
At this time, there is no clear answer as to what direction the Judge will go, and all media coverage, including social media, is speculative. When the judgement comes out, I anticipate there will be mixed feelings. Some community members feel strongly about making masks optional, and other community members feel strongly about enforcing facemasks, especially while the Omicron variant spikes. I write you this letter to keep you informed because I anticipate this will become a hot topic as we move into the upcoming week.
As a school district, we are committed to our students, faculty, and community. As information becomes available, we will keep you informed. In return, we ask for your support and understanding in the continual twists and turns that schools are pulled through during these unprecedented times. Paris is a great community to live in and raise children because of the ongoing support and values of our community.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this topic or the impact it can have on schools, you are welcome to contact me directly at jlarson@paris95schools.org.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jeremy Larson, MBA
Superintendent of Schools
