Change, Change, Change. While many were optimistic that the 2021-22 school year would come with more certainty, it has presented itself with many changes regarding masks. 

On Jan. 25, 2022, the Davenport Community School District removed its mandatory mask policy, making masks optional for teachers and students. 

“As a result of today’s ruling, the Davenport Community School District will remove all universal mandatory masking requirements for students and staff throughout the district effective immediately per Iowa law. Students and staff who choose to mask may continue to do so,” stated a message sent home to families and staff. 

The sudden change in district policy is a result of a decision made on Jan. 25, 2022 that the injunction made against Governor Kim Reynolds law that prohibited schools from mandating masks, was ruled to be too general. 

“The [injunction] was too broad,” Davenport School Board President Dan Gosa said. “It was sent back down to the local court to set the actual parameters.”

The preliminary injunction put in place on Sep. 13, 2021 by Judge Robert Pratt was in response to a lawsuit coming from parents of students with disabilities against the controversial law. The lawsuit claims that the ban on mask mandates violates students’ right to a safe, in-person education. Even though schools cannot currently require students and staff to wear masks, if a student with an IEP or 504 plan is immunocompromised and put at risk of illness from Covid-19, the class may be required to wear a mask. 

“If a student with an IEP requires it, they hold an IEP meeting and make it part of that student’s accommodations,” Principal Cory Williams said.

Many students are caught off guard by the ever-changing rules, like junior Clare Lotspeich. 

“One day we are required [to wear masks] and then the next we are not. It is confusing and stressful. I don’t want to get Covid and then have to miss out on things.”

Overall, the ban on mask mandates is not set in stone.

“[If the mask mandate will change again] that’s the million dollar question. Nothing surprises me anymore,” Williams said. “I personally do not see us going back to a mask mandate unless we are told by the governor or county health department, but again stranger things have happened.”