Vestavia Schools To Require Masks On Campuses

VESTAVIA HILLS, AL — A steady rise in COVID-19 cases among students in Vestavia Hills schools has prompted school officials to mandate masks for students and staff on all of the system's campuses, beginning Sept. 1.

During the week of August 23-27, 142 students (2.02 percent of in-person enrollment) were absent at least one day because of a reported positive diagnosis and 357 students (5.08 percent) were absent because of a close contact.

Superintendent Todd Freeman said COVID-related daily absences averaged 4.72 percent and total daily absences averaged 9.12 percent last week. In a typical non-pandemic year, our average daily absences are generally 4 percent.

"As you can see, the majority of students who are absent are out of school because of close contacts," Freeman said. "Most of those students are not testing positive as a result of close contact at school. This means that many of our students are unnecessarily missing a significant amount of time away from school.

Freeman said these stats played into the decision to require masks for students and staff, rather just encourage them.

Exceptions to wearing a face mask may be granted if a medical condition or disability prevents it; a note from the students’ physician is required and must be provided to the school nurse.

Vestavia Hills City Schools was the only system in the Birmingham metro left that was not requiring masks. In comparison to neighboring systems, Hoover City Schools' last report showed 156 students testing positive for COVID-19, which is 1.18 percent of the student body. Mountain Brook's latest report shows 48 students testing positive, which is 1.01 percent of the student body.

"Our goal remains to keep students in school and in a healthy environment," Freeman said. "We will continue to review our attendance and health information each week to determine when we can end the mask requirement."