Oklahoma City Public Schools’ new mask requirement starts Monday
There are several options to opt out for parents, including religious reasons and health conditions.
There are several options to opt out for parents, including religious reasons and health conditions.
There are several options to opt out for parents, including religious reasons and health conditions.
Oklahoma City Public Schools’ new mask requirement starts Monday as students begin their second week of school.
Oklahoma’s new state law prevents public schools from implementing mask mandates unless Gov. Kevin Stitt declares a state of emergency. Superintendent Dr. Sean McDaniel said this requirement does not break state law because Senate Bill 658 only prevents school boards from acting. He said he made the decision alone as superintendent.
“Rather than calling this a mandate, which I know a lot of other folks who are attaching it to it, we're simply saying, like we do with other things in the school business, we're going to require this. So, it's the rule, but we know that there are exceptions to the rule,” McDaniel said.
There are several options to opt out for parents, including religious reasons and health conditions. The requirement is for both students and teachers.
OKCPS campuses are closed to outside visitors. The district also offering COVID-19 testing to all students and staff starting Monday.