(Fremont County, WY) – County 10 shared last week, Fremont County School District (FCSD) #1’s plan to apply for a mask variance for the remainder of the school year.
The application submitted to the Wyoming Department of Health was approved by State Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist on April 27th, 2021. The approval now awaits authorization from the school board.
“At the time of approval, Fremont County has been in the ‘green zone’ for at least two weeks,” Harrist stated, referring to levels used to measure active cases in an area based on population.
The Board has not yet authorized administration to implement the variance, as changes will need to be made to the Smart Start Plan, but it is set to be discussed at the FCSD #1 special board meeting, scheduled for Friday, April 30, at 7AM.
The meeting is open to the public, and can be viewed via Zoom link here. Meeting ID: 989 3392 3364 – Passcode: d48q7t
Note that even though the meeting is open to the public, it is not open to public comment. That opportunity was made available at the April 20th meeting when the application was first discussed.
In addition to the previously reported on mandate lift for FCSD #24 in Shoshoni, FCSD #2 in Dubois also submitted a request for an exception to the WDH yesterday, April 28th.
Having already been denied a variance, FCSD #6 Wind River schools resubmitted their request yesterday as well, after learning Fremont County was in the green zone.
Any school district applying for a variance must be in this green zone for two consecutive weeks, and stay in that zone indefinitely.
Isolation and quarantine requirements are still in place for any individuals testing positive, even in areas where mask variances have been approved, and masks will still remain optional to wear for those who chose to do so.
To view all of County 10’s coverage of school district mask variances as it progresses, click here.