Beshear's School Mask Mandate Is Cancelled, But State Board Mask Rule Still In Place

Darren Doyle, story:
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has canceled his statewide school mask mandate that he ordered on August 10th, due to a KY Supreme Court ruling on Saturday, but has discussed the possibility of considering a statewide mandate. However, the cancelled order is unrelated to the KY Board of Education emergency order on August 12th that required masks in schools. That order still remains in effect. 

Superintendent of Edmonson County Schools Brian Alexander has addressed the current situation that has no effect on the current mask status in Edmonson County Schools.

His entire statement is published below:

​Edmonson County School Community:
 
Today, Governor Andy Beshear rescinded his August 10, 2021, executive order concerning masking in public and private schools after a ruling by the Kentucky Supreme Court on Saturday relating to this executive order, and limiting other executive powers of the Governor’s office in our commonwealth. 
 
However, on August 12, 2021, after the Governor’s executive order, the Kentucky Board of Education also established an emergency regulation, in a unanimous vote.  This emergency regulation, 702 KAR 1:195E, lasts for 270 days, or 9 months.  This emergency regulation will essentially run the remainder of the school year, unless the Kentucky Board of Education chooses to rescind this at a later time.  This ruling is separate from Governor Beshear’s 30-day executive order and it is still enforced as of this moment; the Kentucky Supreme Court’s ruling does not address this item. 
 
This emergency regulation is binding as law; which means at this time, nothing has changed with masking in public schools in Kentucky, including Edmonson County Schools. 
 
As I have stated before with Governor Beshear’s masking mandate, our Board and I would prefer local control in terms of what is best for Edmonson County.  Additionally, it is important to point out that district and school administrators who do not comply with this emergency regulation are in jeopardy of losing their teacher certification.  
 
To view the Kentucky Board of Education’s Emergency Regulation, please click on the link below:
https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/702/001/195E.pdf
 
Please continue to trust our district as we try to deal with this situation and respect your wishes as individuals and families, yet follow the laws and regulations that have been put before us.  One thing we all have in common is a hope for normalcy very soon.   Thank you and feel free to contact me anytime.
 
Yours truly,
Brian Alexander, Superintendent