Photo by Joselyn King Ohio County Health Department Administrator Howard Gamble addresses Ohio County Board of Education members earlier this month at West Liberty Elementary School.

WEST LIBERTY — Students in Ohio County Schools won’t have to wear a mask to begin the school year under policy being considered by board of education members.

Attendance Director Amy Minch was joined by County Health Department Administrator Howard Gamble and County Health Officer William Przybysz on Tuesday in presenting the district’s COVID-19 policy for the 2021-2022 school year to board members.

The meeting took place at West Liberty Elementary School.

“As we all know, COVID has not disappeared,” Minch told board members. “We are still dealing with COVID. The difference this year is we are starting the year with cases. We’ve already had staff members return, and we have quarantine cases we are dealing with.”

Even though the State Board of Education has given county school districts guidance to follow, the county officials are tasked with making their own decisions pertaining to mask wearing, COVID testing requirements and social distancing practices.

The policy set forth in Ohio County does not mandate students wear masks while attending school, but allows them to do so if they wish. Adult staff members who are not vaccinated and working around students would be required to don face coverings, Minch said.

She explained last year’s social distancing guidelines had students separated by at least 6 feet in their classrooms. Students will now be permitted to sit within 3 feet of each other.

A COVID vaccination clinic for new employees and others not yet vaccinated is set for Aug. 19 at the Ohio County Schools Central Office.

A second clinic for students will coincide with “back-to-school” night at Wheeling Park High School on Aug. 23. Any members of the public not yet vaccinated also are invited to come get their shots, Minch said.

Board members expressed concern with the quarantine policy laid out by Minch for students exposed to COVID and quarantined following contact tracing.

Unvaccinated students would have to be quarantined for 10 days, but could return on day 11 if they were symptom-free. They could return as soon as seven days if they show no symptoms and can provide a negative COVID test result. Vaccinated students would not have to be quarantined if exposed, according to Minch.

Board member Molly Aderholt said during this past school year, many students were quarantined after being exposed to COVID — but few tested positive for the virus.

The students nevertheless were forced to miss out on sporting and extracurricular activities, and they also suffered academically by not being in the classroom, according to Aderholt.

“We saw there was very little benefit to contact tracing and quarantining these kids,” she said. “However, over the last year the extreme negative impact the quarantine had on kids.

“The kids need to be in school, and need the resources the schools provide. The kids will suffer academically — especially if we don’t have the (remote learning platform in place last year).”

Board President David Croft suggested members wait until their next regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Aug. 23 at Madison Elementary School to approve the policy. He wanted more time for members to consult with legal counsel on just what parts of the policy are mandated, and which parts county officials can change and approve.

The board will next meet at 8 a.m. on Aug. 19 to approve late hirings before the start of the school year for students on Aug. 25.