No immediate plans for mask mandates at schools in Alma, Greenwood and Van Buren

Some of the larger school districts in the Fort Smith metro area are not following the Fort Smith Public School District’s lead when it comes to requiring face masks as schools across the state prepare to welcome students back Aug. 16.

Van Buren, Alma and Greenwood school districts, the three largest school districts in the area outside of Fort Smith, do not have mandatory face covering policies as the 2020-21 school year sets to start.

The Fort Smith Public Schools Board of Education approved a 60-day mask requirement for all students, employees and visitors in school buildings or vehicles when more than two people are present at a meeting Monday night (Aug. 9).

Alma Public School Superintendent David Wooly said Tuesday (Aug. 10) said masks would be voluntary when classes start.

“We strongly encourage the use of masks, and all (the district’s) leaders will be wearing them, hoping to set a good example,” Wooly said.

He said the fate of Act 1002, which was enacted by the Arkansas state legislature and precludes local school districts and school boards from addressing the question of wearing masks, and a restraining order of the act granted by Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox that temporarily blocks the state from enforcing the mask mandate ban could change the mask situation at any moment.

“If the law changes, and if future circumstances warrant, this issue might be revisited,” a notice posted on the district’s website Aug. 6 said.

“However, any student who wishes to wear a mask can certainly do so! We will have them available in the schools for anyone who wants one, and of course, students are welcome to bring one from home. Aside from vaccinations, masks are the best defense we have from the virus. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control is recommending everyone wear a mask when indoors, whether or not they are vaccinated. I hope you will give serious consideration to this,” Wooly said in the announcement.

Greenwood Public Schools Superintendent John Ciesla posted on the district’s facebook page Monday that the district would watch what is going on concerning Act 1002.

“As Arkansas’s highest court, the Arkansas Supreme Court may have the final word on this issue. Further legal proceedings are expected,” Ciesla said in the post.

The district said Monday it is still waiting to see what happens next.

The Van Buren School District is also in a waiting pattern. No decision has been made regarding a mask mandate, though the district is seeking feedback from faculty, staff and parents on the subject. The Van Buren school board will meet tonight (Aug. 10), but no decision concerning masks is on the agenda.