The Joplin School Board is scheduled to hold a special session tonight to debate masking this upcoming school year. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

According to the Joplin School’s website, the special session is scheduled to convene at 8 tonight. Board members will debate the proposed Fall 2021, Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Service Plan. It was first released in June of 2020 with two revisions since.

The major additions board members will debate tonight are whether when individuals are masked, quarantining will not be required this upcoming school year. Another change is that if people are fully vaccinated they will not be required to quarantine if they are exposed to an active COVID-19 case. Under the current plan masks are only recommended, not required. If approved, the plan would take a step towards requiring masks in Joplin Schools this year. Both amendments to the plan have been recommended by the CDC. Free COVID-19 vaccines are widely available for Missouri residents 12 years old and older, including most middle school students. The meeting is scheduled tonight at 8 at Joplin School’s downtown offices located at 825 S. Pearl. For 89 9 KRPS, I’m Fred Fletcher-Fierro