Cory-Rawson schools won't mandate masks on school bus

RAWSON — The Cory-Rawson Local School District announced last week that it intends to allow students to choose whether to wear a face mask on school transportation, contrary to a federal order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The district is the only one in Hancock County to break from the CDC's requirement that masks be worn on all public transportation, including school buses and other forms of school transportation. The decision comes at the risk of the school district losing federal funding, which could include about $503,208 allocated to Cory-Rawson schools through the American Rescue Plan, according to the Ohio Department of Education. The district's plan also states that students will not be socially distanced on the buses, and parents have the option of choosing private transportation. Superintendent Jay Clark said the school board is aware of the possibility of losing federal funds, and if it "would possibly happen," the level of federal funding received by the district is a piece of its "funding puzzle," but not a significant piece. "Our plan states that we highly recommended face masks in the classroom and on the bus, so we do anticipate masks being worn," said Clark. "The concern is making our bus drivers enforce that mandate. What does that look like every day getting on and off the buses? Especially if a student isn't wearing a face mask while in school." Clark said the plan is subject to change but for now, face masks — like vaccines — are still optional, even on the buses. "We'd like to start the school year this way and see how it goes," he said. The CDC issued the order on Jan. 29. It requires the wearing of masks by travelers to prevent spread of the virus. On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the CDC said the order will be enforced. "The CDC strongly encourages and anticipates widespread voluntary compliance, as well as support from other federal agencies in enforcing this order, to the extent permitted by law," said Scott Pauley, a press officer at the agency's headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. The district returns to school on Sept. 7. Grant: 419-427-8412