Gov. Andy Beshear has rescinded his Aug. 10 executive order requiring masks in schools, according to multiple reports.
The move comes after a Saturday Kentucky Supreme Court ruling that effectively limited Beshear’s authority to enact emergency orders to help control the coronavirus pandemic. It was first reported by the Herald-Leader and Courier Journal.
While Beshear’s executive order is now denounced, a mask mandate in K-12 public schools is still in effect that was issued by the Kentucky Board of Education.
According to an email to superintendents from Education Commission Jason Glass, recent court rulings only applied to the governor’s actions. Glass said that “the KBE regulation was separate and distinct from the governor’s executive order. Therefore, the KBE regulation requiring face coverings in schools is in effect and should be implemented in all public schools.”
Now with Beshear’s mandate rescinded, private schools — such as Owensboro Catholic Schools, Heritage Christian School and Grace Christian Academy — now have the ability to put mask-optional policies in place.
On Aug. 9, the Diocese of Owensboro ruled that they “recommend and strongly encourage” all vaccinated parishioners to wear masks during indoor parish events, along with the expectations of unvaccinated individuals to wear masks as well.
David Kessler, superintendent of the Owensboro Dioceses, said Monday the current plan was to enforce masks until Labor Day before re-evaluating (which is the same plan for the Daviess County and Owensboro public school systems.
“I don’t think [that plan] is going to change. We are meeting tomorrow to discuss and I have a pretty good feeling we’ll stick to what we’re [currently] doing,” Kessler said.
Owensboro Times has reached out to Heritage Christian School and Grace Christian Academy but has not yet received a response.
