CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Chillicothe City Schools announced Tuesday evening that all students and staff will wear masks when in their facilities. This announcement comes the night before the city schools start their new year.
Chillicothe City School Superintendent, Debbie Swinehart said in a “One Call” message, “As you are aware Ross County continues to wrestle with high transmission of COVID for all ages. After much discussion with the Chillicothe City School District Board of Education, the Ross County Health District, the CCSD nurses, and careful consideration of the recommendations from the CDC and the American Pediatrics Association the Chillicothe City School District will require masks for all staff, students, and visitors through September 10.”
Governor Mike DeWine told Ohioans Tuesday, “The best way to make sure that your child can stay in school and not have his or her classes interrupted is for that child to be vaccinated. If that child cannot be vaccinated, then the best way to ensure a good school year is for that child to wear a mask in class.”
Area schools have been working to unveil their reopening strategy for weeks. The question of masking is been at the forefront of both education and public health discussions, as COVID-19 cases continue to spike in Ohio. On Tuesday, state health officials announced that there were over 3,000 new cases in Ohio.
The state’s largest school district, Columbus City Schools, announced back in July that all students and staff will be required to wear a mask inside the buildings, regardless of vaccination status.
Dr. Bruce Vanderoff, Ohio’s newest state health director said, ” It is incumbent upon those of us who can be vaccinated to be thinking about what we do with our families in public places and in our schools to protect those who do not have the option to get vaccinated.”