Starting tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 23 masks will be required when social distancing can not be met. The school board’s decision was based on guidance from Cass County health officials, due to the recent high numbers of COVID-19 positivity. Cass County currently has a positivity rate of 21.0%.This action will be in place for the next 30 calendar days. “I think our primary goal is to keep (students) safe,” School Board Vice President Kristy Pellett said.

The 30 day time period was set as a compromise between community member’s conflicting views. School Board member Jenny Williams said, “I know that we are going to walk out of this room and there are going to be people that are mad at us and there are going to be people that are happy with us.”

According to Superintendent Steve Barber, four out of the six Atlantic Community School District buildings do not currently have any COVID-19 cases. At the end of 30 days, the school board will meet to reevaluate mask mandates in our school.