Vermilion Parish Public schools have not reached a decision about wearing a mask

Vermilion Parish Superintendent Tommy Byler sent out a public notice to try and clear up rumors about students and employees having to wear a mask or not wear a mask, along with what will be COVID-19 protocols for the upcoming school year.
Thus far, no decision has been made by the public school system about if students and teachers will be wearing a mask in this upcoming school year, along with what will be the COVID-19 protocols.
“While there is an opinion that we are trying to hide information, I can guarantee you that is not the case,” Byler said.
Byler said the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) has sent out some COVID-19 guidelines leading up to the new school year.
The LDOE has sent out some guidance mandates that are suggested practices, but ultimately has left the decisions on these suggestions up to the local authority.
“The suggested practices are very similar to last year. They are suggested and not mandated. The only thing that is for certain is that the COVID quarantine practices that were in place last year are still in place,” Byler wrote.
The Vermilion Parish School Board has to adopt any of the policies that they want in place and the next board meeting is on July 22.
For those of you who are on other sites saying we are not addressing these issues, you have been misinformed as these discussions are on the committee meeting and full board agendas for the July meeting,” Byler added.
At the end of last week, the CDC pushed out what has caused much of the publics opinion and conversations which was a comment that said vaccinated individuals, teachers and students, did not have to mask, Byler said.
“Again, this was a suggestion from the CDC. Many media outlets are portrayed as the tell-all end-all for masking in schools. We have also been told that we could be getting more CDC guidelines in the next couple of weeks,” Byler said.
Byler said he will let everyone know what the school board’s policies will be as soon as they have decided at the July 22 meeting.
“There is a possibility that guidelines from the state and CDC could change after that date. I can guarantee you that we are working with all parties involved and we sit on the CDC and LDOE calls weekly, and the same situations are going on all over the state.
“Thank you for your patience, and I can assure you that you are receiving the information in as timely a manner as I can get it to you.”