The Peaster Independent School District in Texas has never made masks an issue for students or staff and all of it’s sporting and concert events have taken place on schedule so far during the 2020-2021 school year.
Superintendent Lance Johnson claims, there has been a higher enrollment and average daily attendance numbers are ahead of last year.
“Our kids have thrived and our teachers have thrived,” he told KTVT-TV. “And it’s just been real eye opening to see how we’ve done things different than other schools.”
Johnson has frequently found himself on the phone, or in meetings with other school district leaders or legislative staff members, interested in how the district of about 1,400 students has managed an approach opposite to conventional school health policies.
He tells them there’s no magic to it.
“It’s real simple. We’ve just done it,” he said. “It’s not that difficult if you really put the needs of kids first.”
Students reportedly returned to school in August of last year. There were no distancing requirements or mask mandates. The district fully supported anyone wearing masks but those that did not, were assumed to be exercising an allowed medical or religious exemption.
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Covid cases did start to occur during the fall among students and staff. Johnson estimated total cases could have approached 10, but claims some cases could have gone unreported.
As of the beginning of the week, only 8 students were utilizing virtual learning options.
H/T KTVT, The Blaze