How suburban schools are reacting to mask ruling
This report has been updated to reflect that Glenbrook High Schools District 225 on Friday moved to a "masks recommended environment."
Suburban school leaders are re-examining masking rules after the downstate appellate court ruling on the state's indoor mask requirement in schools.
The court ruled the mandate has expired and therefore an appeal of a temporary restraining order barring schools from enforcing it is "moot." School district officials now can decide for themselves how to address any indoor masking requirements.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still has an order in place requiring anyone on public transportation, including school buses, to wear a mask. Therefore, masks are required on school buses.
Here's a sampling of what schools are doing:
Algonquin D300:
The Algonquin-based Community Unit District 300 school board will host a virtual special meeting at 6 p.m. Sunday to discuss the appellate court's ruling, and review current COVID-19 metrics and mitigation strategies. District 300 could adopt and implement revised COVID-19 mitigation measures, including a possible shift to a mask-recommended environment starting Tuesday. The meeting will be livestreamed on the District 300 YouTube channel.
Arlington Dist. 25:
Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 has been in a "mask recommended" environment since Feb. 7 - the first day of school after the temporary restraining order took effect. The district was among the defendants in the lawsuit.
Batavia Dist. 101:
Batavia Unit District 101's current policy recommends masks for everyone in schools, especially when social distancing cannot be maintained. If conditions worsen or outbreaks occur, the district may need to return to strict enforcement of masking. Meanwhile, all other mitigation strategies remain in place, officials said.
Bloomingdale Dist. 13:
Bloomingdale Elementary District 13 schools are mask-optional going forward.
Cary Dist. 26:
Cary District 26 school board will conduct a special meeting at 10 a.m. today to discuss revisions to the district's COVID mitigation plan.
Central Dist. 301:
Burlington-based Central Unit District 301 transitioned to making masks optional for students, staff and visitors on Thursday ahead of the court's ruling.
"In light of the most recent JCAR (Joint Committee on Administrative Rules) ruling and based on the declining numbers of our positive cases, we have decided to move forward and implement the next phase of our mitigation plan," Superintendent Todd Stirn wrote to families. "Based on Central 301's metrics (currently below 1% positivity), and our ability to successfully mitigate risk, we are confident that we are ready to adjust our mitigations while continuing to provide a safe learning environment for all."
COVID-positive students/employees are required to stay out of school and unvaccinated employees no longer will be required to test weekly.
Des Plaines Dist. 62:
Des Plaines Elementary District 62 is moving to a mask-recommended learning environment effective immediately. "Because of the efforts in our community regarding vaccination and mitigation, we have seen a recent downward trend of COVID-19 cases within our local and neighboring communities, to the point that we can now consider updating some of our mitigation measures," Superintendent Paul Hertel said.
The district will maintain other mitigation strategies, including continuing physical distancing where possible, performing thorough contact tracing within schools and requiring all school personnel be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to weekly testing.
Downers Grove Dist. 58:
There will be no changes to the status quo for Downers Grove District 58. As of Feb. 14, the district has recommended, but not required, students and staff members to wear masks at school. District 58 will not require "close contacts" to stay home from school or unvaccinated district employees to submit to weekly testing.
East Maine Dist. 63:
East Maine District 63 will shift to recommending masks in schools Tuesday. Officials continue to strongly encourage students and staff to wear masks, in alignment with guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health and CDC. The district can reinstitute mandatory mask wearing if local COVID-19 infection rates warrant it or if masking again is required by law.
Elgin Area U-46:
Starting Wednesday, all Elgin Area School District U-46 schools will move to masks' being strongly recommended.
"We had already begun preparing for a shift in our mitigation strategies in U-46, and planned to announce them today, because our local COVID-19 metrics continue to trend in a favorable direction," U-46 Superintendent Tony Sanders wrote Friday.
Masks will be required in all school buildings only if all three counties in U-46 - Cook, DuPage, Kane - demonstrate a "substantial" (8% or higher positivity rates) spread of COVID-19 as defined by the state health department.
"We will review confirmed positive cases at individual school buildings, as well student absences for reported COVID-like symptoms and SHIELD test data for those sites," Sanders wrote.
If the positivity rate at any school is considered "substantial" based on confirmed positive cases, student absences due to reported symptoms, or through identification through SHIELD testing, masks would be required in that school. The updated rules will be presented to the U-46 school board on Feb. 28.
Elk Grove Dist. 59:
Elk Grove Township District 59 schools will move to a "masks recommended" environment starting Tuesday. The school board has canceled next week's special meeting on masks.
Geneva Dist. 304:
Geneva Unit District 304 will continue to follow its current practice of recommending masking for students, staff and visitors in buildings.
Glenbard Dist 87:
Glenbard Township High School District 87 is switching to a mask-optional approach for all students and staff effective Tuesday.
"This implementation delay will allow families and staff time to make an informed decision regarding their personal choice around this issue," Superintendent David Larson wrote. "Until Feb. 22, we require all students, staff and visitors to wear a mask in our buildings."
Glenbrook Dist 225:
Glenbrook High School District 225 on Friday moved to a "masks recommended environment" at Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South high schools. The District 225 school board has scheduled an emergency virtual meeting for 10:30 a.m. today to discuss the impact of the appellate court decision on the mask mandate and the district's staff vaccination and testing mandate.
Glenview Dist. 34:
Masks will continue to be required in Glenview District 34 schools until Feb. 28, when a "mask recommended but not required" policy is implemented. Huntley Dist. 158:
Huntley Community School District 158 schools will see no change in current masking requirements. The district will continue to strongly recommend masks be worn in schools.
Hawthorn D73:
Vernon Hills-based Hawthorn Elementary District 73 will suspend enforcement of required masking and shift to mask recommended starting Tuesday. The district will maintain a supply of masks in nurses' offices and continue with other mitigation strategies, including social distancing, close contact tracing, universal masking in school nurses' offices.
Indian Prairie Dist. 204:
Indian Prairie Unit District 204 officials last week announced plans to implement a "strongly recommended" mask policy starting Tuesday. While students won't be divided into pods for every class based on masking decisions, teachers may allow students to switch seats. Because younger students can't be vaccinated, masks still will be required in prekindergarten and early childhood classes.
Itasca Dist. 10:
Itasca Elementary District 10 schools are mask-optional.
Libertyville Dist. 70:
Libertyville Elementary District 70 already had adopted a mask-optional policy in all schools and administrative offices.
Based on the latest ruling, District 70 students and staff identified as close contacts and who are asymptomatic no longer will be required to quarantine as of Tuesday. Anyone currently in quarantine can return to school on that date.
Parents/guardians will continue to be notified if their child is identified as a close contact. Masking in those cases will be optional.
If any close contacts become symptomatic, they must not return until they have obtained a lab-confirmed negative COVID test. Students who test positive for COVID will continue to be excluded for five days. They can return on day six if symptoms improve and must wear a mask through day 10.
Lake Park Dist. 108:
Lake Park High School District 108 will continue to require masks until Feb. 28, after which officials will make them optional.
Libertyville-Vernon Hills Dist. 128:
Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128 started recommending masks for students, staff and volunteers Friday. The district had planned to switch Feb. 28 but accelerated the decision to drop the mask mandate.
Masks still will be required for staff in proximity to high-risk immunocompromised students and in driver education vehicles and school buses. Masking is recommended unless required by the Illinois High School Association or other governing organization for after-school events, dances, athletics and other extracurricular activities.
Maine Township Dist. 207:
Maine Township High School District 207 went mask-optional Wednesday. But officials strongly encourage everyone to continue wearing masks. They also are asking everyone to be respectful of individual choices of staff and students to wear or not wear a mask.
Mundelein Dists. 75/120:
Mundelein High School District 120 and Mundelein Elementary District 75 will move to a mask-recommended status effective Tuesday, spokesman Peter Gill said. Most other COVID-19 mitigation measures in schools will remain largely unchanged, he added.
Naperville Dist. 203:
Naperville Unit District 203 officials ended a mask mandate on Tuesday, shifting to a "strongly recommended" masking policy. The district will continue the mask-optional policy going forward.
Northbrook-Glenview Dist. 30:
Northbrook-Glenview District 30's universal masking requirements remain in place. The school board will evaluate an updated mitigation plan and establish a date for transitioning to a mask-recommended environment at a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Part of the transition work will be to prepare students and staff for the change, officials said.
Northbrook Dist. 28:
Northbrook District 28 continues to follow local health guidance in requiring masks. The district is awaiting advice from its attorneys in considering further mitigation practices.
Northwest Suburban Dist. 214:
Masks have been recommended but not required in Northwest Suburban High School District 214 since the downstate judge's ruling Feb. 4. Because District 214 was a defendant in the lawsuit, the ruling meant the district's masking policy reverted to what the school board and administration adopted before Pritzker's Aug. 4 order, Superintendent David Schuler said.
Oak Grove Dist. 68:
The Oak Grove Elementary District 68 school board on Feb. 11 made masking optional and approved other measures for the Green Oaks-based district. Masking still is required for adults in proximity to high-risk immunocompromised students.
Masking is optional at extracurricular activities within the district. "Away" games and field trips outside the school will follow the host's guidelines. Unvaccinated staff members no longer are required to test weekly, and staff/volunteers no longer have to submit vaccination status. Weekly testing continues for interested staff and students. Students testing positive for COVID-19 are required to quarantine for at least five days. Masks are encouraged upon a return to school for days six to 10.
Palatine Twp. Dist. 15:
Palatine Township Elementary District 15 moved to a mask-recommended teaching and learning environment Friday. A special meeting is scheduled Tuesday to share the full COVID mitigation plan and seek feedback from the school board on other mitigation efforts, Superintendent Laurie Heinz said.
Palatine-Schaumburg Dist. 211:
Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 will continue its mask-optional policy that took effect when the temporary restraining order was issued.
Round Lake Dist. 116:
The Round Lake Area Unit District 116 school board will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday to decide on its masking policy. The meeting can be livestreamed at youtu.be/WLiOmkHP_uM.
Schaumburg Dist. 54:
Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 announced no changes Friday to its policy of strongly encouraging students and staff to wear masks in schools.
Stevenson Dist. 125:
Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125 will suspend enforcement of the mask mandate on campus beginning Tuesday. The suspension is subject to change, based on outcome in the pending litigation and/or guidance from federal, state and local health departments, officials said. The district will maintain a supply of high quality masks for faculty, staff and students and continue with other mitigation strategies, such as optional testing. Although the current executive order regarding masking in schools remains in effect until at least March 5, recent actions have raised a "significant legal issue" regarding the district's continued authority to enforce Gov. J.B. Pritzker's mask mandate, Superintendent Eric Twadell and Principal Troy Gobble informed parents Friday morning.
Wheaton Warrenville Dist. 200:
Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 is not making any changes to its current mitigation practices, a spokeswoman said. The district opted for voluntary masking after the temporary restraining order was issued.
Wheeling Dist. 21:
Wheeling Township Elementary District 21 has recommended masks but not required them since after the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules vote Wednesday not to renew the state health department's emergency rule on masking in schools. The school board Thursday night endorsed a three-tiered masking framework: universal masking, situational, and recommended but not required - depending on COVID-19 infection levels in individual schools. But Superintendent Michael Connolly said Friday even after reading the appellate court ruling, he's not sure the district has the authority to enforce its new policy. "We have the system in place, but we're not sure we can enforce it," he said. "But this is all real fluid. It's about as clear as mud in some respects. The local control issue is a little muddled."
Woodland Dist. 50:
The Woodland Elementary District 50 board held an emergency board meeting Thursday night to discuss the COVID-19 metrics in schools. The district's plan is to transition to recommending masks but not requiring them. Since the appellate court ruling came after the meeting, the board has decided to call a special meeting Sunday afternoon to provide further direction.
• Daily Herald staff writers contributed to this report.