A mask mandate indoors for staff and students went into effect for all Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School buildings Monday, August 16.  How is the school district handling requests for exemptions from wearing the masks?

HSE School Superintendent Yvonne Stokes says there are two types of exemptions that may be requested – medical and religious.

Medical requests will generally be approved based on a written statement from a physician that a medical condition results in not being able to wear a mask indoors at school, according to Dr. Stokes.

The exemption requests based on religious beliefs are evaluated by each building principal, according to the superintendent.

In a related matter, two men entered the school administration building Tuesday morning to attend the school board work session.  The two were asked to wear masks and they refused.  They were asked to leave.   After a lengthy discussion, the men left the school board meeting room.