School administrators are updating masking policies as COVID-19 cases surge.
There are 261 school districts in the state, according to the Arkansas Department of Education, and around 120 of them have approved a masking policy for the 2021-2022 school year.
Act 1002 banned state agencies like schools from implementing masking requirements; however, a Pulaski County Circuit Judge issued a preliminary injunction on Aug. 6, which allows school districts to make their own decisions about masking for the time being.
Over the last week, school boards across the state have met to discuss mask requirements. While some have decided to strongly encourage the wearing of face coverings, others have made masks mandatory, but with the understanding that the policy will be reviewed in a month.
Mask mandates vary and range from applying to all teachers and students, to only being implemented when cases reach a specified threshold in the community. Additionally, a handful of districts are giving parents the option to opt out of the requirement by submitting a form.
Here is a list of school districts that are implementing some form of a mask mandate. Click on your district to learn more about the specific requirements at your school.
Academics Plus Charter Schools Inc.
Camden Fairview School District
Cleveland County School District
East Poinsett County School District
Eureka Springs School District
Greene County Tech School District
Harmony Grove School District (Ouachita County)
Helena-West Helena School District
Jackson County School District
Jacksonville North Pulaski School District
Lakeside School District (Chicot County)
Lakeside School District (Garland County)
North Little Rock School District
Palestine-Wheatley School District
Pulaski County Special School District
South Side School District (Van Buren County)
Westside Consolidated School District
Westside School District (Johnson County)
Westwind School for Performing Arts
White County Central School District
Editors note: This story has been updated to include more districts that have approved mask policies.