Galesburg Reporter

 The West Central School District has adopted a school reopening plan that stops short of embracing Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s statewide masking mandate for all public and private school students.

"After much discussion and thoughtful consideration, the West Central Board of Education approved on a 5-2 vote at their Board meeting on August 10, 2021, to begin the 2021-2022 school year with the plan approved at the July 21, 2021, Board of Education meeting,” West Central Superintendent Paula Markey said in a statement. "This plan contains layered mitigations and recommends masks for all students, staff, and visitors while inside the school buildings and requires masks while driving or riding on a school bus and during all IHSA and IESA activities and athletics.”

Soon after West Central school officials made their decision public, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) moved to lower the district’s recognition, which could lead to less funding for the school and it being prohibited from taking part in ISHA-sanctioned athletic events.  

Markey recently told school parents that she had received a letter from the ISBE alerting her that the district had been placed “on probation” for exhibiting “deficiencies that present a health hazard or a danger to students or staff.”

Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen Ayala is further warning superintendents across the state that non-compliance with the governor’s mandate is, “not an option.”

Formally issued on Aug. 4, the governor is defending his action by insisting it is meant to curb rising COVID infection rates brought on by the spread of the Delta variant strain. The order requires all students, staff and visitors to mask in schools regardless of vaccination status, in accordance with guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Department of Public Health and Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention.

In a letter to districts outlining the governor’s plan, officials warned consequences faced by those deemed to be losing recognition status with the state board of education could include no longer being able to issue diplomas, losing out on as much as $4 million in government funding and losing liability coverage and tort immunity.

 Earlier this summer, Markey also signed a letter with other superintendents across the state addressed to Ayala "asking that districts be given local control on COVID-related decisions, including mask wearing."