Mountain Brook Schools To Shift To Mask Optional Policy

MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL —Mountain Brook Schools announced that students will not be required to wear masks on its campuses beginning Monday.

School officials cited the deining numbers of COVID-19 cases among students and low number of students home due to close contact as factors that played into the decision to change the mask policy.

Neighboring school systems like Vestavia Hills and Hoover have already switched to a mask optional policy.

Mountain Brook's new policy in face coverings includes:

• If a school, grade level, class or team experiences an increase in COVID positive cases, the school may move to “mask required” status for two weeks.
• Masking will be required on all school transportation due to federal requirements.
• MBS will consider a 1-week masking requirement post major holidays- Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and Spring Break.
• Visitors to elementary schools will be required to wear a mask while visiting spaces where students are present.

School officials said school nurses will continue to separate and potentially mask students with symptoms compatible with COVID-19.