Butler County schools ignore health department pleas to enforce universal masking

None of the public school districts in Butler County have announced a universal mask policy for the fall, despite encouragement from multiple local health departments to do so.

"Public Health supports the notion that children and young adults need to be in their school classrooms learning face-to-face and socializing with their peers as much as possible – even when COVID-19 threatens," health officials wrote in a Monday news release. 

To do that, officials said all K-12 students, teachers and staff should be masked.

The announcement, written in collaboration among the Butler County General Health District and Hamilton and Middletown city health departments, urges all K-12 schools and universities to utilize universal masking, regardless of vaccination status. This guidance is in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

These agencies cannot require schools to impose universal mask mandates – not even  local health commissioners after Senate Bill 22 passed in March. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has recommended, but not required, masks in schools and said last week that he does not intend to mandate masks or issue other health orders as a result of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases.

“Individual choice is what we are about at this point in the pandemic because we have the vaccine,” DeWine said. “Schools are making choices now. We believe in local education, local schools making decisions. Businesses, hospitals are all making decisions based on the facts.”

There are 11 public K-12 school districts in Butler County: Fairfield City School District, Hamilton City Schools, Lakota Local Schools, Middletown City School District, Monroe Local Schools, New Miami Local Schools, Ross Local School District, Madison Local Schools, Edgewood City Schools, Talawanda School District and Preble Shawnee Local Schools. As of Wednesday, none of them are requiring masks for the 2021-2022 school year.

List: Here's which Southwest Ohio, NKY school districts are requiring masks this fall

"Where we stand is exactly the language that came out yesterday," Madison Local Schools superintendent Jeff Staggs told The Enquirer on Tuesday. He referenced the joint statement from Butler County health agencies. "We're strongly recommending that parents and staff follow the guidance of the CDC. So that is our policy right now, we strongly recommend (wearing masks)."

But that isn't in line with the county health commissioner's recommendation. Middletown city spokesperson Shelby Quinlivan told The Enquirer Monday's announcement from the three departments urged schools to require masks, not just recommend them.

"Viruses live to mutate and they mutate to live. Each time the virus replicates is another chance for a new stronger variant to form," Monday's announcement reads. "Vaccination is our best option to stop COVID-19 in its tracks, however, because children under 12 do not have that option yet, and some 12 and older are not vaccinated, ALL in schools need to wear a mask."

The guidance from these three Butler County health departments is not an order but a "data-derived, science-based strong recommendation." Officials said about 50% of Butler County residents have been vaccinated, making masking one of the most "imperative" actions to help prevent further spread of the virus.

"The final decision on masks rests with the school board of each district, of course," the statement reads.

Edgewood City Schools spokesperson Frank Russo said "ultimately it's the parents' decision" whether or not to send their children to school wearing masks. Middletown City Schools board of education will discuss the mask issue with health commissioner Jackie Phillips at the end of the month, officials said.

Miami University, the largest higher education institution in Butler County, will require masks in the 2021-2022 school year. President Gregory Crawford announced the universal mask policy in early August, citing concerns over the delta variant of COVID-19 and recommendations from the CDC.

“Our top priority is ensuring the health and safety of our campus community,” Crawford said. “Public health officials have advised us that the safest course of action for the successful completion of a robust, in-person semester is to take preventative actions now.”