Late Wednesday afternoon, Missoula County Public School Superintendent Rob Watson shared a completed draft letter addressed to parents that includes “MCPS Face Covering Guidelines and Requirements” for the 2021-2022 school year.

Though the letter was addressed to parents, the letter was shared with educators and staff only. The letter comes just a day after dozens of community members attended the MCPS “COVID Task Force” meeting where most parents expressed support for parental choice when it comes to masking the face of their children.

The letter details the mask mandate for all students, staff, volunteers or guests, regardless of vaccination status “until further notice.”

On Wednesday, Watson also changed the in-person meeting scheduled for 6pm next Tuesday to a “100% virtual format,” citing specious reasoning and hindering an open debate between parents and the Board of Trustees regarding the decision to mandate masks before the finalization of Watson’s mandate. The about-face comes after Watson shared how important in-person meetings were for parents and administrators at Tuesday’s “COVID Task Force” meeting.

Citing no science with regard to the efficacy of masking, but referring to CDC and a professional associations guidance, Watson’s letter to parents states that in order to lift the mask mandates certain age groups must be vaccinated and, using tests that will soon have their Emergency Use Authorization revoked, the positive case rate in the “local area” must reach a threshold he did not detail.

Watson also shared that government-paid educators and staff would be free to take off their masks when students are not around and that it may be possible at the discretion of “staff” that students will be allowed a “mask break.”

Superintendent Watson said that masking will be reviewed at some point after the first 6 weeks of school, but did not set a specific date.

A petition that is calling for parental choice with regard to mask mandates in Missoula County Public Schools has garnered over 300 signatures since its creation late Tuesday.

Below is the mandate and the full email:

MCPS Face Covering Guidelines and Requirements

As of August 16, 2021, until further notice, to be reviewed after the first 6 weeks of school.

The following guidelines will be followed in all PreK-12 MCPS Facilities as well as Administrative Offices.

While indoors and while on MCPS transportation (Beach or other):

– Face coverings are required for all students, staff and volunteers or guests, regardless of vaccination status.

– Face coverings are not required when outdoors.

– Face coverings are not required while eating/drinking.

In some circumstances, staff may lower face covering while teaching, presenting, speaking or providing directions as long as they can maintain appropriate distance (6ft) from others. This decision will be left to the discretion of the individual staff member.  However, face coverings should be used when working with small groups or individual students.

When working alone, not with students or not with members of the public, staff may remove face coverings.

To be determined by Staff, there may be opportunities for students for routine “mask breaks” throughout the day, if appropriate distancing can be maintained.

For details regarding face coverings (types and proper use), MCPS follows the CDC guidance titled: “Your Guide to Masks.”

These guidelines will remain in effect for at least the first 6 weeks of school and will be routinely reviewed by Administration, COVID task force and Board of Trustees. These guidelines may  be modified, reduced or extended. Factors that will be used in decision making include, but are not limited to, local incident rate (new cases, per 100,000, 7 day rolling average), local vaccination rate by age group, and district data related to school associated positive COVID cases and/or transmission.

Missoula County Public Schools Administrator Rob Watson email to staff and educators. August 4th, 2021.