In an open letter to Knox County Career Center parents, students and staff, Superintendent Kathy Greenich outlined the school’s reopening plans.

School will be in session on Monday for 10th- and 11th-graders, and on Tuesday for everyone else.

“We will continue our vigilant approach to ensure the safety and well-being of students, staff and the community,” Greenich said in the letter.

She said masks are not required for students and staff but are “strongly recommended,” especially for unvaccinated individuals or those with preexisting conditions.

Anyone who wishes to wear a mask may do so. Parents and essential visitors, however, are required to mask up, even if they have been vaccinated.

“Students should have a mask with them at all times,” Greenich said. “They may be requested to wear one when in office areas where social distancing cannot take place.”

All passengers on school buses, whether vaccinated or not, must also wear masks.

“Please support us in making sure your student(s) are wearing a mask when riding a bus,” she said.

Greenich said the current rules could change depending on directives from the Ohio Department of Health and/or the Centers for Disease Control and Knox Public Health.

“A mask mandate may be reinstated district-wide if average student attendance rates fall, lack of staff, etc., or if otherwise mandated,” she said.

Under state law, quarantine rules will be in effect for people who have been in close contact with someone testing positive for COVID.

“That means any student (or adult) not vaccinated and not consistently wearing a mask may not be able to attend school in person while in quarantine status, which could last from 7-14 days,” Greenich said.

In closing, Greenich added the following:

• Harassment against students based on whether they wear masks will not be tolerated.
• Students and staff should assess their health daily and avoid school when sick.
• Social distancing and hand-washing will be encouraged. Classrooms and lunch tables will be sanitized before each use.