The Merrillville Community School Corporation released a statement Wednesday saying that it will work to try and maintain an in-person learning environment for the 2021-2022 school year.
Superintendent of Schools Nicholas Brown says for the start of the 2021-2022 school year, masks will be required. Brown says this aligns with the recommendations of the CDC, State Department of Health, and Lake County Department of Health. The new state guidelines leave the decision on mask mandates at the local level.
The Merrillville Community School Corporation says it has been monitoring the positivity rates for Lake County and there has been a significant increase in the positivity rates since July.
The Merrillville School Corporation says when the positivity rate reaches 10% for Lake County, it will consider requiring masks in the buildings at the elementary level and when the positivity rate reaches 13% for Lake County, it will consider requiring masks in the buildings at all building levels.
When the rates fall below 10% for two consecutive weeks the mandate will be lifted.
