Fayette schools have ISBE conferences scheduled this week
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Conferences are being set for those schools who have made mask wearing for this school year voluntary, which is contrary to Gov. J. B. Pritzker’s executive order mandating the face coverings for all inside activities at schools to begin the year.
As the number of schools defying that mandate has climbed to around 50, the ISBE has said that those schools not following the governor’s decree could risk losing state funding, recognized accreditation by the state, and participation in athletic events.
Those schools which have given students the choice to wear a mask, have been placed on a probationary list, and are required to meet with Illinois State Board of Education officials to explain how they plan to correct the situation. ISBE has said that public schools have up to two months to correct their stances before the penalties are imposed.
Out of the around 50 districts on the lists include Vandalia, St. Elmo, Ramsey, South Central, and Patoka.
The Vandalia school board will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday evening, Aug. 26 to discuss the conference with ISBE and the notice by the Illinois High School Association stating no state series participation will be allowed if a school is on probation. A closed session is on the agenda immediately following these items of discussion.
Patoka, one of the first schools to make masks voluntary, had its conference set for Tuesday afternoon, and will also meet Thursday night to discuss the matter as well.
ISBE has determined that these conferences will be closed to the media and the public as there will not be a quorum of either ISBE, nor the local districts, to mandate the meetings being open.
Vandalia’s meeting with ISBE was scheduled for 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Newspaper staff had reached out to Ramsey and South Central, but did not receive a response. St. Elmo had not had a time assigned as of presstime.