Universal Masking Requirements Remain In Place For District 30

NORTHBROOK, IL — Though a Friday ruling to allow Illinois school districts to make their own decisions regarding masks doesn't apply to Northbrook/Glenview School District 30, officials did say they are evaluating a plan to transition to a mask-recommended environment.

District 30 held its first board meeting Thursday night since the Sangamon County Temporary Restraining Order went into place earlier this month. That ruling allowed over 170 school districts in Illinois to drop mask mandates if they desired. District 30 was not named in any of the lawsuits brought together by parents of students. A downstate appellate court ruled Friday morning that an emergency rule regarding a statewide mask mandate for schools has expired and that an appeal of a temporary restraining order issued that keeps schools from enforcing the mandate is "moot."

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The District 30 School Board directed its administrative team to bring forward an updated Safe Return to School Plan and the target date for shifting in the near future. The Board will evaluate the plan and establish the date for transition at a special Board of Education Meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24.

“The plan will support our transition to a mask-recommended environment that provides for preparation and gives time to let rates continue to drop," Board President Nancy Artz said. "We will consider a recommended effective date and will work together as a community to be successful, as we have with everything else throughout this pandemic.”

In a Friday letter to parents, Superintendent Dr. Brian K. Wegley said District 30 is "positioned well for this transition."

"With rates dropping and most of our students having access to vaccines, District 30’s administration was already discussing doing so before the chaos created by this ruling," Wegley said. "Part of our transition work will be to prepare students and staff for our mask-recommended environment. We will need compassion, empathy, and kindness as we proceed."