St. Paul school board votes to keep current mask mandate in place
St. Paul Public Schools Board of Education members convene for a meeting Tuesday, March 22, 2022. (KSTP)
A measure to adjust St. Paul Public Schools’ mask policy failed by a 3-2 vote Tuesday night during the Board of Education’s regular meeting.
The resolution would have allowed schools to do away with mask mandates when Ramsey County’s community COVID-19 transmission level is at low or moderate, according to criteria set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of Tuesday, Ramsey County’s transmission level was moderate.
Chair Jim Vue and Vice-Chair Jessica Kopp were the only board members voting in favor, while Uriah Ward, Chauntyll Allen, and Halla Henderson voted to reject the new policy. Board members Jeanelle Foster and Zuki Ellis were absent.
St. Paul Public Schools spokesman Kevin Burns told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the board would not take up the mask policy issue again this school year. For now, this means all students, staff, and visitors will be required to wear face coverings in district buildings for the foreseeable future.