Gasconade County R-2 summer school participants will have the option to wear a mask during classes, but will not be required to do so according to Superintendent Dr. Chuck Garner.

During the May 17 meeting, Garner advised the board that guidelines were changing so they could revise their own protocols.

“Based on updated guidance, falling transmission rates, and limited enrollment, the Gasconade County R-2 School District will alter their masking policy for summer school to return to an optional practice,” Garner read from his board report.

He suggested the board approve the measure, which they did with a 6-0 vote.

“Summer school can practice social distancing,” Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jeri Kay Hardy explained on Tuesday morning. “We will make it optional like it was at the beginning of the school year. We will decide later what we will do in the fall, but because of the ability to social distance, it will be optional for summer school.”

The district relies on guidance from the Gasconade and Franklin county health departments for changes in the procedure.

“Some schools are open but are still limiting seating for programs at half capacity,” Hardy said. “They are staying within that for extra curricular activities. Building protocols are still in place. Parents have still not been brought in during the day.”

The district’s regular school year concludes Wednesday, May 26, with a 1 p.m. dismissal. Summer school is scheduled to begin Tuesday, June 1. It runs through June 16.

There are 50 students currently enrolled including 36 high school freshmen.