Washington County School Board discussing fall reopening

The Washington County School District board is discussing ideas for implementation of the Utah State Board of Education's requirements and recommendations for reopening schools in the fall.

Under state requirements, face masks will be mandatory for faculty, staff and students when social distancing can't be maintained. But, the rule is not sitting well with both members of the board and parents.

Officials say they're worried that the more pushback they get against sanitizing, disinfecting or wearing masks when distance cannot be maintained, the higher the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak and schools closing.

Local school boards will have to create a comprehensive plan for reopening, submit it for approval, hold a public meeting and then make the plan public for everyone to read by August 1st.