Jefferson County Schools To Require Masks For Rest Of School Year

BIRMINGHAM, AL — With just a couple of months remaining in what has been one of the most challenging school years amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Jefferson County Board of Education announced face coverings will be required for students and staff for the remainder of the school year.

The mast requirement includes traditional school and any other school-sponsored events such as graduation ceremonies. No decision has been made about summer programs or the next school year.

Gov. Kay Ivey announced in March that the mandatory mask ordinance statewide would expire April 9, but Jefferson County Schools superintendent Walter Gonsoulin said Monday that the school system would maintain its mask requirement.

"Throughout much of this semester, we have seen a steady decline in our positive cases," Gonsoulin said. "I want that trend to continue. As the Alabama Department of Public Health reminded everyone last week, face masks remain one of the most successful tools in helping reduce the spread of COVID-19. You should also know that I have spent several hours meeting with doctors and experts in our local health community, and all of them feel this is the right course of action."

The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to extend the city's mask order through May 24.

Gonsoulin said many of the system's teachers received their second COVID-19 vaccine Monday, meaning they will not reach maximum immunity until April 19.

"We also have many other employees who have had COVID-19 this school year and will not have an opportunity to get a shot until later in the semester," he said. "The majority of our students are also still ineligible to receive a vaccine. When you consider all of these factors and that we are only weeks away from the end of the school year, the benefits of keeping the mask requirement far outweigh any negatives."