Greater Cincinnati school leaders face quandary when it comes to students wearing masks in class Many superintendents walking tightrope between animosity and added safety Share Updated: 7:36 PM EDT Aug 2, 2021 Many superintendents walking tightrope between animosity and added safety Share Updated: 7:36 PM EDT Aug 2, 2021 Hide Transcript Show Transcript SUPERINTENDENT A NO-WIN SITUATION. WHEN KENTUCKY GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR WARREN SCHOOL LEADERS, THEIR DISTRICTS WOULD FAIL IF MASKS ARE NOT REQUIRED THIS FALL ALVIN GARRISON TOOK NOTE BASHIR SOBERING STATEMENT PLUS GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC MEANS COVINGTON INDEPENDENT STUDENTS WILL HAVE TO WEAR FACE COVERGSIN WHEN CLASSES BEGAN IN THREE WEEKS ALL OF THOSE ENTITIES RECOMMEND INDOORS WE MASK UP. SO THAT’S ATWH WE DECIDED TO DO IN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION GARRISON MADE THE DECISION, EVEN THOUGH NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS LIKE, KENTON COUNTY. AT MASKS WILL BE RECOMMENDED BUT NOT REQUIRED. I THINK IT’S A NO WIND SITUATION FOR THE MOST PART IN SOME CASES SUPERINTENDENTS DECIDED NOT TO REQUIRE MASKS IN CLASS BEFORE THE DELTA VARIANT OF COVID-19 STARTED TO IMPACTING GREATER CINCINNATI. THE FACT HEALTH EXPERTS ARE NOW BACK ON THE MASKED BANDWAGON IS A LOT TO PROCESS FOR PARENTS LIKE GAREN PARKER. I JUSTOT G TO THE POINT WHERE I WORE MASS FOR SO LONG I GOT COMFORTABLE WITH IT, WHICH IS OKAY AND THEN I GOT VACCINATED. I DON’T HAVE TO WEAR A MASK. MORE AND NOW I’M STARTING TO HEAR THAT WE HAVE TO WEAR A MASK AGAIN WHEN IT COMES TO THE SCAIN WHEN IT COMES TO THE HOOL HIS DAUGHTER’S ATTEND. PARKER IS CONFIDENT. THE RIGHT CALL WILL BE MADE. I’M GOING TO BKAC WHATEVER THE SCHOOL SYSTEM DECIDES TO DO. I’M NOT GONNA FIGHT IT. I DON'’ THINK MY KIDSRE A GONNA FIGHT IT IF DISTRICTS DO EMBRACE MASKS AGA,IN THE IMPACT CLDOU MEAN FEWER DAYS MISSED EVEN IF A STUDENT TEST POSITEIV IN A SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT IN OHIO WITH TWO STUDENTS ARE MASKED AND ONE STUDENT GETS SICK WITH COVID-19. THE OTRHE STUDENT DOESN’T HAVE TO QUARANTINE, WHICH IS A GREAT ASSET TO HELP KEEP DSKI IN SCHOOL. NOW SINCE CLASSES THROUGHOUT THE REGION STARTED IN JUST A MATTER OF WEEKS NOW MORE DISTRICTS ARE REVEALING THEIR MASK POLICIES HAMILTON CITY SCHOOLS SAYING TODAY MASKS ARE OPTIONAL BUT STRONGLY RECOMMENDED A BOARD MEMBERS IN OAK HILLS. MEANWHILE, THEY’RE EXPECTED TO DISCUSS THAT DISTRICT’S MASS POLICY DURING A BOARD MEETING TONIGHT REPORTING LIVE TODD -- WLWT NEWS 5. -SO TDOD YOU’RE THERET A THE HEADQUARTERS FOR CINCINNATI PUBLIC SCHOOLS. WHAT ELSE? CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE MASS POLICY FOR ATHLETES? FAMILIES BECAUSE I’M SURE THERE ARE SO MANY QUESTIONS OUT THERE. YEAH, IT’S A BIG ISSUE. OBVIOUSLY WE KNOW FOR SEVERAL THOUSAND YOUNG PEOPLE AND AS YOU MENTIONED CHERISE CPS OFFICIALS SAY THAT STUDENT ATHLETES WILL NEED TO WEAR A MASK WHEN THEY’RE NOT PLAYING IN AAM GE AND BEING ACTIVE. THEY’LL BE ASKED TO STAY AS SOCIALLY DISTANCED AS POSSIBLE. ALSO BNGRI THEIR OWN WATER BOTTLES TO GAMES AND ALSO TO PRACTICE SPECTATORS ARE GOING TO BE AOWLLED BUT THEY’LL BE ASKED TO WEAR A MASK AS WELL AT CPS SPORTING EVENTS AT LEASTOR F THE METI BEING CHERIE TODD -- REPORTING LIVE FOR US TONIGHT COVERING THE CONTROLLED CONTROVERSIAL DEBATE OVER THE MASK