Cody: No Masks Mandated in Park County School District #6

As Summer 2021 ends for Cody students, there will be no mandatory masks in their classrooms while COVID-19 cases in Park County continue to climb.

Wednesday, August 25, will be the first day of school for students in Cody. While many are eager to return to the classroom, it’s a bit risker than at the end of May 2021.

Park County is currently dealing with a surge of COVID-19 cases. Public Health Officer Dr. Aaron Billin reports the highest case numbers since last January with no end in sight. As a result, Cody Regional Health established a “COVID wing” to deal with the increase of cases, which was already full as of Tuesday, August 10.

In his first public statement since being hired as interim superintendent, Tim Foley addresses masks for the upcoming school year. Foley was appointed to the position last month after the sudden resignation and early retirement of Peg Monteith.

In short: the 2021-2022 school year will start as the last school year ended with social distancing and cleaning in classrooms – but no masks.

The following statement was posted on the Park County School District #6 Facebook page.

Hello, Park 6 Families,

I hope you have had an enjoyable summer and found time to relax and be with friends and family. With the start of school just around the corner, the Park 6 Board of Trustees took the opportunity to discuss Governor Gordon’s recent announcement regarding local control with a safe return to school.

The decision has been made that we will return to school as we ended school in May.

• • Masks will be recommended but not required. We believe everyone has a personal choice, and those choices must be respected.
  • Park 6 will continue to work with the Park County Public Health Officer and our local healthcare leaders.
  • We will strive to maintain social distancing of 3-6 feet when possible.
  • Cleaning protocols will be maintained at the level of the 2020-2021 school year.
  • Due to current Federal transportation requirements, students will be required to wear masks when traveling on school buses; this will include travel to sporting events and activities. This will be re-evaluated if the Federal requirement is changed.

We are looking forward to a great school year. The first day for students will be Wednesday, August 25.

Tim Foley, Interim Superintendent

Masks will still be required on school buses due to federal public health orders which remain in effect.

Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Wyoming Health Officer Alexia Harrist are recommending everyone wear masks in crowded, indoor spaces. However, there are no mask mandates in effect anywhere in Wyoming.

The authority to mandate masks and other public health orders like county officials like Dr. Billin and the Park County Commissioners. There’s currently no indication of any local health orders being considered or drafted.