Local school leaders say this year will be ‘a pretty normal year’ due to fewer COVID-19 regulations

Kids and teachers are seeing the most normal start to the school year in nearly two years as COVID restrictions began to be lifted.

“It’s going to look like a pretty normal year,” Chris Piper, superintendent of Troy City Schools said.

Piper explained that last year the district implement social distancing in its nine buildings and later added a mask mandate.

“We’re hoping for better things this year,” Piper said.

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He said Troy has no plans to reduce class size or create extra social distancing. Masks will also be optional.

That mirrors what’s happening at Mad River Local Schools.

“I think the one thing that is nice about the relaxed rules is the kids don’t have to worry so much about COVID, and they can focus on learning and what they’re there to do,” Jenny Alexander of Mad River Local School said.

Springfield City School District said the district does not have any COVID protocols for the first day of school.

Last week, the Center for Disease Control removed its recommendation that kids in different classes should avoid mixing. They also got rid of its advice that kids, who are exposed to the virus, have to test negative to stay.

“Of course, we’re going to continue to monitor things and check with the advice from the Ohio Department of Health, but I think it’s something we’re all coming to terms with and learning how to live with, so pretty minimal in terms of different kinds of things. It’s going to look pretty much like a normal school year, I hope and think,” Piper said.

Both Mad River Schools and Troy City Schools said if someone tests positive, they will have to isolate at home for five days.

They will then have to wear a mask when they come back for the next five.