Mask status for Northwest Arkansas & River Valley schools

Sixth-grader Adriana Campbell, 11, jots down her name as she starts to work on her first assignment during the first day of school on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021…

Sixth-grader Adriana Campbell, 11, jots down her name as she starts to work on her first assignment during the first day of school on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021 at Freeman Elementary School in Flint, Mich. ” Schools have begun reopening in the U.S. with most states leaving it up to local schools to decide whether to require masks. (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP)

Posted: Aug 9, 2021 / 10:19 PM CDT

Updated: Aug 16, 2021 / 12:58 PM CDT

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Numerous schools across Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley are discussing mask mandates for the 2021-22 school year.

The lists below outlines the current mask status for schools in the area:

Northwest Arkansas

Bentonville School District – Mask mandates for students ages 3 and up passed for 30 days. Will be reassessed next board meeting.
Elkins School District – Elkins School District is not currently mandating that face masks be worn inside of school buildings. Students and staff are encouraged to do so, but are not required to wear a face covering.
Eureka Springs School District – All students and staff at Eureka Springs Schools will be required to wear masks for the 2021-2022 school year, according to Superintendent Bryan Pruitt on Tuesday.
Farmington School District – Students and staff will be required to wear masks indoors per the district’s “Emergency Communicable Disease Plan.” The mask rules in place remain the same as those established in the 2020-21 school year.
Fayetteville School District – Students are required to wear masks. You can find more details on the decision here. School board will reevaluate the plan no later than October.
Huntsville School District – Parents and faculty are asked to complete a survey on whether or not to implement a mask mandate for the upcoming school year.
Prairie Grove Schools – Masks will be mandatory indoors and on school transportation vehicles for all students and staff. The necessity of the mask mandate will be reviewed at each monthly school board meeting.
Rogers School District – Rogers School Board votes for a 30-day mask mandate for pre-K through 12.
Springdale Public Schools – Students in Kindergarten through 7th grade will be required to wear masks indoors until September 14. Masks will be optional for students in 8th through 12th grades and staff.
Siloam Springs School District – Siloam Springs School Board votes against mask mandate. More information can be found here.

River Valley

Alma School District – Masks are not required for staff or students.
Booneville Schools – All students, visitors and staff will be required to wear masks at school and on busses when proper social distancing is not possible. Students will also be screened for symptoms when they arrive at school.
Greenwood School District – The school district will implement mask requirements for the upcoming school year. The policy will require masks indoors when social distancing is not possible on school campuses or in school vehicles or school buses by students, staff, and visitors. More information can be found on the school’s Facebook page.
Fort Smith School District – the school board has authorized a 60-day mask requirement. By a vote of 6-1, the school board approved an emergency regulation on wearing masks and face coverings for teachers and staff.
Mountainburg School District – Masks are not required for staff or students.
Ozark School District – Masks are not required for staff or students.
Van Buren School District – No decision made as of Friday Aug. 13. The district asked parents to fill out a survey about mask wearing.