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Warsaw schools implement mask mandate; Baugo board votes one down

Jeanie Lindsay/IPB News

Warsaw Community Schools are requiring face masks for all students, teachers and staff to line up with new state guidance that eases COVID-19 quarantine requirements for schools that implement universal mask mandates. The mandate was adopted during the Sept. 7 board meeting.

“Beginning Friday, September 10 (2021) in an effort to maintain high-quality in-person instruction in a safe and healthy environment for our students while minimizing the disruption caused by mandatory quarantine rules, Warsaw Community Schools will require masks for all students, staff, and visitors during the school day regardless of vaccination status in all of our school buildings,” the district said in a statement posted to its Facebook page.

The statement also noted that, “Within the first four weeks of the 2021-22 school year, COVID-19 numbers have spiked due to the highly contagious Delta variant.”

Also on Sept. 7, Baugo Community Schools decided to go the other way and will continue with a mask optional policy.

In what was described as an emergency meeting of the Baugo Community School Board Tuesday, members considered a mask mandate to take advantage of the new state guidance that eases COVID quarantine restrictions for schools with mask mandates.

But on a 3-2 vote, the board voted against Superintendent Byron Sanders recommendation that Jimtown schools implement the Governor’s executive order. The schools will continue to use their existing re-entry plan, which was approved in July.

Contact Kent at kfulmer@wvpe.org.

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Kent Fulmer joined WVPE in August of 2020 to take on one of the station's most high profile roles as the local host of Morning Edition. Kent comes to WVPE with more than 20 years experience in radio in the Michiana area. During his career, Kent has had a variety of roles including DJ, reporter and newscaster, as well as several behind-the-scenes positions. Kent and his wife, Donna, are celebrating their 32nd wedding anniversary in 2020 and have lived in Elkhart County for almost 20 years. They have two adult daughters, Sarah and Rebecca. When not working, Kent is active as a musician, playing trumpet and flugelhorn. He has performed with a number of area bands. Currently he performs with the Phat Tuesday Dixieland Band and Jazz Assemblage, as well as his church's praise band. As a member of Jazz Assemblage, Kent has appeared at the Elkhart Jazz Festival several times. He also volunteers with Bugles Across America.