New guidelines for schools issued by California Department of Public Health

At the July 13 meeting of the TUSD School Board, Superintendent Stacey Larson-Everson announced that only three days after the District announced that they would reopen the schools in August under the COVID guidelines of the CDC (Center for Disease Control), the plan was superseded by new guidelines issued on July 12 by the CDPH (California Department of Public Health).

Under the CDC guidelines, masks would be worn indoors only for those not vaccinated. The CDPH now says that masks will be worn by everyone at school, said Larson-Everson. This is to be sure that all students are treated the same. Distancing does not seem to be addressed either in the classroom or outdoors. Masks will be optional outdoors. Students are to wear masks at all times except when eating and drinking, including on the school bus. Cleaning classrooms once a day now seems to be enough instead of hourly. Families will assume the responsibility of daily screening for COVID symptoms based on a supplied list. Students are to wash their hands before and after meals. The one exception to the mask rule appears to be when students are participating in sports.

This new set of guidelines was read shortly after the Board had unanimously approved a resolution to the CDPH to issue new face mask coverings guidance for K-12 schools and school programs including sports. The Board resolution points out possible health issues with the wearing of facemasks and asks the CDPH to take this into consideration in setting its guidelines. The TUSD Superintendent was also directed to send the resolution to Governor Newsom, California Health and Human Services, California Safe Schools, Kern County Board of Supervisors, Assemblyman Vince Fong, Senator Shannon Grove and Kern County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Barlow. The Board’s resolution was drafted on July 1, almost two weeks before the new CDC guidelines. Several parents in attendance at the meeting expressed their thanks to the board for approving the resolution.

The Board of Tehachapi Unified School District meets at 5 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at District Offices located at 300 S. Robinson St. Meetings are currently in person and virtual.