Lincoln Public Schools to announce plans and guidelines for reopening schools on Tuesday

Lincoln Public Schools will welcome all students back to the classroom next month despite a rise in COVID-19 cases in Lancaster County.

Lincoln Public Schools will announce plans and guidelines for reopening schools on Tuesday. Governor Pete Ricketts spoke at a press conference Monday about the reopening. He says if teachers or students have special health care needs, the school needs to accommodate to them.

“I think it’s important that every school district, superintendent, and every school board work to be able to accomplish that goal of what’s in the best interest for the kids,” Ricketts said.

LPS has over 40,000 students and over 7,000 staff members within the district. After Mayor Gaylor Baird announced a mask mandate on Friday, LPS Superintendent Steve Joel showed his support of wearing a mask.

“The only way we could have school, is if we wear masks,” Joel said.

He also said that the wearing of masks will be enforced when school starts back up.

“If you’re going to attend school, if you’re going to be employed by the school, you will wear a mask.”

Health officials say the COVID-19 risk dial for Lancaster County is in the high-risk range, but Ricketts says reopening schools is critical.

“There are kids, not all of them, but there are kids who will work best in a classroom setting,” Ricketts said.