Glenview District 34 To 'Strongly Recommend,' Not Require Masks

GLENVIEW, IL — Masks will soon be optional in Glenview School District 34. The board of education approved a resolution Tuesday night to update the district's COVID-19 mitigation plan to move to an environment that strongly recommends, but does not require, mask wearing in school buildings starting Monday, Feb. 28.

Masks will continue to be required in district schools for the next seven days. Cathy Kedjidjian, director of communications and strategic planning for District 34, said if the temporary restraining order issued on Feb. 4 is stayed or reversed by a higher court, the district will return to a mask-mandatory environment as long as that ruling remains lawfully in place.

The decision comes as District 34 was one of 170 school districts across the state named as defendants in four separate lawsuits brought by parents who claim the mask order denies students due process. Earlier this month, a Sangamon County Circuit Judge issued a temporary restraining order in favor of parents and school staff who challenged Gov. J.B. Pritzker and his administration's implementation of masking, testing and quarantine requirements in schools.

That ruling left school districts to consult with their attorneys and boards to determine which, if any, of their COVID-19 policies to adjust in light of the ruling.

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For District 34, masks will remain mandatory on school buses in compliance with the federal mandate for masks on public transportation. Students or staff returning after a five-day exclusion due to a positive COVID test must wear a mask for days 6-10.