February 7, 2022
C-WC #5 School Community,
On Feb. 4, 2022 Sangamon County Circuit Court granted a request to temporarily halt Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s executive orders on masking and quarantining for schools. The Illinois Attorney General has appealed the decision to the 4th District Appellate Court in Springfield. The Appellate Court could enter a "stay" (pause) of the decision.
As we await the outcome of the appeal process, we will suspend the following effective Monday, February 7, 2022:
Enforcing the masking requirement for our students and staff.
Excluding students/staff who have been a close contact and remain asymptomatic.
Weekly testing of non-vaccinated staff.
Please note, this ruling doesn’t impact federal mandates. Therefore, students/staff must continue to wear masks while on school transportation. We also ask that students and staff stay home until they are 48 hours symptom free.
Our priority is to ensure the safety of all of our students and staff. While we are not requiring masking at this time, we would ask that students, staff, and parents/guardians remain sensitive to those in our school environment who are immunocompromised or otherwise at risk for complications if they contract COVID-19 and those who simply wish to continue the practice of indoor masking. Therefore, we highly recommend that students and staff continue the practice of indoor masking, even though it is currently optional. We anticipate a ruling from the Appellate Court, which in turn could reverse the Circuit Court’s decision. We will continue to monitor the potential changes and keep you abreast as we move forward. Additionally, social distancing, deep cleaning protocols, and the offering of masks will continue.
Our priority remains on maintaining a positive educational environment for our students and staff. Carmi Unit #5 is an exceptional district, with a long history of extraordinary collaboration among our staff and parent community. We are confident we will be able to navigate together any challenges ahead of us. Thank you for your continued cooperation and support.
Respectfully,
Brad Lee, Superintendent