The Thompson School District Board of Education voted to make masking optional, a decision that coincides with the Larimer County Department of Public Health and Environment’s decision to soon lift their mask mandate for the county.

The board received an update from staff on the impact of COVID-19 within our schools, which included information and a question-and-answer session with Larimer County Public Health Director Tom Gonzales. Larimer County’s current facemask mandate is scheduled to end on Saturday, February 12.

Following the COVID-19 update, the Board of Education discussed the information that had been presented and voted to make an adjustment to the masking policy that is currently in place within the district. Thompson School District’s face mask mandate will now expire on Saturday, February 12, to coincide with the expiration of the county order

Face mask usage in all district schools and buildings will become optional but is still being strongly recommended for students and staff beginning on Saturday, February 12. Until that date masks will still be required.

In a statement released by TSD it was stated that, “Please note that county guidance around this decision is still being finalized. Per county, state and federal regulations, masks will continue to be required in certain cases, including the following:

-Students and staff riding on TSD buses must continue to wear face masks. This is due to a federal transportation requirement.

-Students and staff who are a part of Head Start, a federally funded program, are required to wear masks.

-Students and staff members who are in days 6 through 10 of a COVID-19 isolation or quarantine will be required to wear masks and will not be allowed to return until all symptoms are improving.

-Students and staff in certain activities that have been identified by health officials as “high risk” will continue to mask at certain times.

-As required by county health officials, masks will continue to be utilized as needed to assist in the mitigation of increased cases and to address high illness absentee levels.

-Other circumstances may exist or arise that could require the use of face masks by students and staff. TSD will work with Larimer County officials to further define circumstances in the near future.”