Resources and Policy



Positive Test Notifications



notice Skyway Elementary School, 9/15/2020

MASKS: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where does the School District get its authority to require masks?

The District’s authority comes from several places. First, Idaho law requires that the District’s Board of Trustees take steps to protect the health of the students and maintain a safe environment for students. Idaho Code § 33-512. Second, the Idaho Office of the Attorney General has issued an opinion stating that school districts have the authority to implement measures to address the threat and presence of a pandemic within their jurisdiction. Finally, the Idaho State Department of Education, Idaho State Board of Education, Governor’s Office, and Department of Health and Welfare issued a guiding document called the Idaho Back-to-School Framework. The Framework provides guidance on school districts’ reopening plans and recommends the use of masks, depending on the identified level of community transmission.

Q: Will masks be required for everyone in schools?

Yes. The District’s mask policy applies to all students, teachers, and visitors. When the District is in a Yellow or Orange stage under the CDA Public Schools Reopening Plan, students and teachers will be required to wear masks at all times while attending school, at school functions, and while riding school-provided transportation, with appropriate breaks as determined by school administrators. Visitors to school buildings will be required to wear masks upon entry. See Question 5 for disability accommodations.

Q: Will my child be disciplined or excluded for not wearing a mask?

The District understands that students, especially younger children, may have trouble keeping masks on for long periods of time and will endeavor to enforce the mask policy without resorting to exclusion, unless doing so is warranted in order to protect other students and staff. Students will be educated on routines for proper mask usage (in addition to hand washing and physical distancing) as part of teaching basic school routines at the beginning of the year.

Students who intentionally refuse to comply with the mask policy and are not subject to a disability accommodation may be required to leave school and may be subject to disciplinary action, consistent with Board Policy 3255 on Student Dress. This discipline authority will also be outlined in the emergency Board Policy regarding masks.

Q: What about sports and activities?

Mask usage for athletes will be required to the extent set forth by the IHSAA guidelines to the extent those guidelines remain consistent with local health district guidelines. When the District is in a Yellow or Orange stage, athletes and participants in other activities will be required to wear masks unless engaging in certain activities such as distance running, swimming, or strenuous activity as determined by coaches or IHSAA administrators. Coaches, staff and referees will be required to wear masks. Spectators and attendees will be required to wear masks. The District reserves the right to cancel all extracurricular activities if the Board warrants such measures are appropriate for the health and safety of staff and students.

Q: Are there exceptions for students with certain medical conditions or disabilities?

The CDC and other agencies have recognized that persons with certain medical conditions are not advised to wear face coverings. If a student, employee or visitor has a medical condition preventing them from wearing a mask, the District will provide a reasonable accommodation.

The District’s obligation to provide a reasonable accommodation is governed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). There is no blanket exemption under the ADA for persons with disabilities; other possible accommodations will be explored in each case in addition to consideration of an exemption. Under the ADA, a reasonable accommodation is only required to the extent that the accommodation doesn’t impose an “undue hardship” on school operations. The District will examine each request for an accommodation on a case-by-case basis and will try to accommodate to the fullest extent that it can without creating a hardship. There may be a situation where a requested accommodation cannot be granted and a student will be offered remote learning opportunities as an alternative accommodation. Again, all reasonable accommodation requests for qualified persons with a disability will be considered and addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Parents who believe their child has a medical condition/disability calling for a reasonable accommodation should contact their health care provider.

Q: Does the School District have the authority to require a doctor’s note?

The ADA allows the District to require proof of a medical condition or disability requiring an accommodation. In the interest of treating all requests equally, the District will require verification from a health provider upon every request for a mask accommodation for students, teachers and visitors.

Q: My child has an existing IEP or a 504 plan. Is my child exempt from the mask requirement?

Reasonable accommodations and modifications to existing IEPs or 504 plans will be made on a case-by-case basis, based on each child’s particular needs. The ADA does not provide a blanket exemption for mask use based on all disabilities. Parents are encouraged to contact their student’s case manager if they have concerns about their child’s ability to wear a mask.

Q: The Panhandle Health District mask order says that I don’t have to provide proof of a medical condition or disability. How can the School District require this?

While students, staff and visitors are expected to abide by the Panhandle Health District order at all appropriate times, the School District’s mask requirement is separate from the Panhandle Health District order. The District is permitted to require medical documentation under the ADA for anyone seeking a disability-related accommodation.

Q: If the Panhandle Health District mask order is revoked or becomes ineffective, will the School District stop requiring masks?

The School District is required to take reasonable care to protect its students and staff. Even if the Panhandle Health District determines that a mandatory mask order is no longer needed in public areas in Kootenai County, the District is still authorized to require masks in its facilities. The District will continually monitor CDC guidelines and local guidance of health professionals and Panhandle Health District to determine if masks in school are still a reasonable and advisable safety measure. The District’s policy will be based on existing guidelines in place and level of community spread, regardless of whether there is a county or city-wide mask mandate in place.

Q: I disagree with the use of masks. Will the District accommodate me or exempt my child from the mask policy?

Students and staff will not be exempted from the requirement to wear masks at school based on personal objections. The District values parents’ right to reasonable academic accommodations under Idaho law; however, the law also requires the District to consider the needs of other students, the impacts to the classroom, and the assurance of safety. Allowing students and staff to “opt out” of the mask policy raises concerns of disruption, bullying, equity issues, and could potentially raise liability issues for the District. The District is providing an accommodation to families who oppose the use of masks by offering remote learning via eSchool.

Q: Can I or my student wear a face shield instead of a cloth mask?

On an overall basis, face shields will not be allowed as a substitute for a cloth mask based on current CDC guidance. The District may allow the use of face shields as a potential accommodation in certain cases when there are no other reasonable accommodations and when done in conjunction with other safety measures such as physical distancing.

Q: Are there any restrictions on the type of masks that may be worn?

Masks must be made of multiple layers of fabric or other tightly woven material, fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face; completely cover the nose and mouth; be secured with ties or ear loops, or be capable of a tight hold to the face by a single tube of fabric (such as a neck gaiter). Masks should allow for breathing without restriction and should either be disposable or be capable of being laundered without damage or change to shape. While colored and patterned masks are permissible, any mask that is disruptive or distracting to the educational climate and process will not be allowed consistent with Board Policy 3255 on Student Dress.

Q: Can’t the schools require social distancing instead of masks?

The District is taking measures to ensure social distancing (six feet apart) at times when doing so is possible; however, because social distancing is not always guaranteed or feasible throughout the entire school day, masks are an additional safety measure, in conjunction with social distancing, to better address the safety of students and staff. There may be certain situations or activities throughout the school day where physical distance, airflow and group size will allow for masks to be removed, as determined by school administrators on a case-by-case basis.

Q: Will there be any relief or breaks from mask wearing throughout the day?

The District recognizes that students and staff will need appropriate mask breaks throughout the day. School administrators will be encouraged to schedule mask breaks and work with teachers and staff to coordinate the timing of such breaks. The District anticipates that mask breaks will occur on a regular basis but only in an environment that maintains the overall safety of staff and students. For example, students may be allowed to go outside, to a gymnasium or to another open area that allows for social distancing in a well-ventilated area, for a short period of time.

Q: Will the District provide masks to families who need assistance?

Similar to school supplies, uniforms, and other personal items, students are expected to supply their own masks. Students and staff should come prepared every day with a new disposable or clean reusable mask, and are encouraged to bring an extra mask to be carried in the student’s backpack in case the first mask becomes lost or soiled. Each school building will have disposable masks on hand to account for visitors who fail to bring a mask or for replacement of lost or soiled masks. However, supplies and budget are limited. Families who need assistance in meeting this requirement should contact their child’s school office for resources.