Mask Ruling Prompts Emergency Day In Geneva School District

GENEVA, IL — Following a downstate judge temporarily blocking school COVID-19 mask requirements, Geneva School District 304 opted to use an emergency day Monday while district staff decide how to proceed with their mitigation strategies.

In a message to families Sunday evening, Superintendent of Schools Kent Mutchler said the decision to give students the day off was made "to ensure that we are effectively collaborating on our plans while protecting a day of in-person learning." Students will make up Monday's attendance on May 31.

On Friday, Sangamon County Circuit Judge Raylene Grischow granted a temporary restraining order voiding certain emergency rules adopted in 2021 by the Pritzker administration, Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health. The ruling means students can choose not to wear a mask, and unvaccinated school staff who don't want to be vaccinated or tested weekly must be afforded due process.

District 304 was among almost 150 school districts named a defendant in the lawsuit.

RELATED: Judge Blocks School Mask Mandate, Voids COVID-19 Emergency Orders

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul will seek an expedited appeal of the order and said he remains committed to defending Gov. J.B. Pritzker's executive orders, Patch reported.

In the meantime, the ruling has left school districts scrambling. In Geneva, district officials said they "continue to receive information that needs to be considered" before making a decision.

"We recognize the challenges this decision may have on our families, but given the fluidity of the situation we strongly feel that this time is necessary to effectively plan for any potential impact on our students, staff, and school community," Mutchler said in his message.

District 304 officials will provide additional information Monday "as the situation evolves," according to Mutchler.

Neighboring districts, including West Aurora School District 129 and East Aurora School District 131, will not change course on their COVID-19 protocols since they weren't named in the lawsuit, officials announced.