STE. GENEVIEVE – The Ste. Genevieve County School Disdtrict R-II notified parents and employees that it has received a letter from the Missouri Attorney General ordering Missouri public schools and local health departments to cease issuing mask mandates, quarantine orders and other public health orders.
“We wanted to make you aware of this letter from Eric Schmitt, Missouri Attorney General. Based on a judgment in a Cole County case on Nov. 22, 2021, Attorney General Schmitt has ordered all Missouri public schools and local health departments to cease issuing mask mandates, quarantine orders and other public health orders beginning today, Dec. 7, 2021. This letter, which can be read in its entirety above, warns of enforcement action against public schools and local health departments for failure to follow the court’s judgment.
“We have discussed this letter and its directive with the Ste. Genevieve County Health Department.
“Here is what we know so far:
- As of today, our schools will no longer send communications to families notifying students and employees of the need to quarantine. At this time, this change is being made to ensure that our district complies with Attorney General Schmitt’s directive.
- As always, if a student is sick or symptomatic at school, we will contact a parent and ask that the student be taken home until he/she is well enough to return to school.
- Our local health department will continue to call positive cases and encourage them to stay home for 10 days from their onset of symptoms.
- If a student lives in a home with a positive case, the health department will strongly encourage the parent to monitor that student for symptoms for a period of time, but will not direct the parent to keep the student at home. The health department wil, however, strongly recommend that the student should be kept home if the student becomes symptomatic.
“This situation is frustrating, and has led to confusion and a multitude of questions about how to proceed during this ongoing pandemic, in terms of preventative measures. We know that many of you may have questions and concerns, because we do, as well. We will be reviewing our Reopening Plan in order to address areas that might need to be revised following this court judgment and directive from the Attorney General.
“We ask that our families continue to communicate with the Ste. Genevieve County Health Department and their healthcare providers regarding exposure and symptoms. Please take their recommendations seriously, as this guidance is made in the best interest of public health.
“We are sure that more information will follow soon, and as soon as we have additional information, we will let you know.”