Masks optional at SLE

SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Elementary School Board unanimously voted to rescind their mask policy in accordance with Missoula-City County Health Department’s (MCCHD) recommendations during a special meeting Wednesday, May 5 in the school gym. Face coverings are now optional due to the MCCHD rescinding the requirement Monday, May 10.

In an April 15 meeting, Missoula City-County Board of Health decided that face covering requirements will be converted into recommendations when at least 60% of Missoula County residents ages 16 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. According to MCCHD, as of May 10, 60% of the eligible population has received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Masks would also be optional on school buses and during indoor and outdoor activities. Teachers would not be allowed to enforce a separate classroom policy requiring masks. When student athletes visit schools at away games they will have to follow whatever mask policies the other school has in effect.

Board members said they would not tolerate students ridiculing each other for wearing or not wearing a mask.

Board Chair Kyle Marx said they surveyed staff and a majority said they were in favor of following Missoula County’s direction.

Vice Chair Doc Welter said that because they followed the Health Department’s guidance when they were initially enforcing the mandate, they should continue to do so as the requirements become optional.

“Now we’ve got some new guidance from the health department, I don’t see any reason to have much debate,” he said. “I think we should follow it as we have in the past.”

The next board meeting is scheduled in-person for May 17 at 6 p.m.