The school bell is ringing once again in Louisiana and with COVID cases back on the rise some school systems are reinstating mitigation practices.
State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley said the decision about face masks is best made locally.
“Our position all along has been local control around this decision, allowing local communities to sort through all the information and make decisions in the best interest of their kids,” said Brumley.
Research indicates having students in the classroom is best for everyone and Brumley said systems should do all they can to do so as safely as possible.
Brumley said as long as there isn’t a statewide mask mandate the department’s stance on the issue is that it’s a local decision, and because parents are very impassioned about face masks on both sides of the issue, he recommends they reach out to local school leaders.
“We just encourage them to communicate with their local school leaders and schools and everybody work together to do what’s best for kids,” said Brumley.
When it comes to vaccines Brumley said he’s thankful they are available for the majority of school-age children now and he advises parents to discuss the matter with their healthcare provider.
“When we’re talking about a vaccine, especially a new vaccine, that parents should be talking with their family doctors, their pediatricians, and making decisions that are in the best interest of their family and that being a parent’s decision.
In addition to COVID, Louisiana schools have had to adjust for hurricanes, winter storms, and flooding the past two school years and Brumley said through it all schools have managed to keep students in the classroom for the most part.