School Board votes to mandate masks
Smackover-Norphlet School District, north of El Dorado, began requiring masks for students and staff members starting Wednesday.
During a special meeting Tuesday evening, the Smackover-Norphlet School Board voted unanimously to begin the requirement, noting that 125 to 130 students -- about 11% of the district's student population -- are in quarantine because of covid-19 exposures.
According to the Arkansas Department of Health's most recent statewide report, as of Monday, 17 covid-19 cases had been identified in the district, including 11 that were active that day.
The mask mandate will be reviewed at each regular School Board meeting, starting this month.
-- El Dorado News-Times
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Shots clinics to be at football games
Another round of covid-19 vaccination clinics will be held at selected high school football games Friday night.
Arkansas Education Secretary Johnny Key said Wednesday that the clinics will be at Warren, McGehee and Lonoke high school home games.
The vaccinations administered at the clinics are available to anyone in the surrounding communities or to those who are visiting for the games.
-- Cynthia Howell