Governor Brown announced on Friday, June 25, 2021 through Executive Order 21-15 that current Executive Order 20-66 would be completely rescinded by June 30, 2021. 

 

Part of the announcement was that decision-making regarding guidelines for K-12 schools would be returned to the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Health Authority, with local school districts ultimately making final determinations for the implementation of those guidelines. 

 

In tandem with the Governor’s announcement on Friday was the release of ODE’s Ready Schools Safe Learners Resiliency Framework for the 2021-22 School Year, which also pertains to summer school 2021. The Resiliency Framework strongly advises that masks continue to be worn by all students and staff while indoors, regardless of vaccination status and that physical distancing of at least three feet be maintained between people wherever possible. Other health and safety measures like frequent hand-washing and use of hand sanitizer, covering your cough or sneeze, avoiding contact with people who are ill, etc. are still expected. 

 

In addition, schools and district buildings are required to maintain isolation procedures and conduct contact tracing if there is a positive COVID case; therefore, keeping accurate attendance records for students and retaining sign-in procedures for staff and visitors is essential. 

 

In light of this information, we will be implementing the following changes to the MSD COVID guidelines as of today July 1, 2021:


Fully vaccinated staff are no longer required to wear face coverings in district buildings, in school buildings, or on school buses when students are not present.  The District will not be verifying the vaccination status of employees and instead will rely on staff to follow CDC and OHA guidance in this area.
All staff are required to wear face coverings indoors and on school buses when students are present.
Students are required to wear face coverings indoors and on school buses.
Staff and students are not required to wear face coverings outdoors.
All staff may still choose to wear face coverings even in situations where they are not required if they are more comfortable doing so.
Physical distancing requirements will change to maintain 3 ft of space instead of 6 ft of space to the extent possible.

All other COVID guidelines and procedures for MSD will remain in place, only the changes listed above are being made at this time. We anticipate additional guidance coming from ODE in late July and will update you with regard to expectations for fall 2021. At this time, we are planning for a normal schedule with full school days, five days a week in the fall. 

 

July 1, 2021