Kettering schools change masking plans after rethinking earlier decision

KETTERING — Kettering City Schools will continue to require masks for all students grades K-12, staff and visitors until mid-January, postponing a decision to begin optional masking after returning from Christmas break.

“At the time, I did feel that this was the right decision for our district. However, recent conversations with our own school nurses and with local medical professionals have caused me to re-think the decision,” Kettering Superintendent Scott Inskeep said. “We did see a marked increase in COVID cases among students and staff after our Thanksgiving Break and expect that we will see the same spike in positive cases after families and staff travel to holiday gatherings and vacation destinations over Winter Break.”

>> Dayton man who killed teens in detached garage set for sentencing Monday

The requirement for masks will remain in place until at least Jan. 18.

“Continuing to wear masks for at least two weeks after the holidays will give us the chance to monitor COVID numbers for a possible spike in positive cases,” Inskeep said.

Inskeep said he will communicate with families and staff again before Jan. 18.

Kettering was one of at least two districts in the Miami Valley that was planning to lift its mask requirements after holiday break.

Troy City Schools Superintendent Chris Piper announced earlier this month that the district’s mask requirement would end on Jan. 3.

Troy confirmed its planning to stay with its plan.

“This timeline follows the ability of all school-aged children to be immunized if their parents so choose,” Piper said previously.

©2021 Cox Media Group