The Monroe County Board of Commissioners denied Seven Oaks Classical School’s appeal regarding its violation of the county COVID-19 mask mandate Thursday afternoon.
The school opened for the 2021-22 academic year Aug. 11 and was cited by the county health department Aug. 19 for $250. It filed an appeal Aug. 25.
READ MORE: Seven Oaks Classical School Appeals Health Department Citation
The board of commissioners approved a revised health order on Sept. 1 to clarify "all K-12 schools including all private and/or public schools, in Monroe County shall follow the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)."
During Monday’s hearing, the school’s headmaster, Stephen Shipp, said he interpreted Indiana executive order 21-09 to grant local school boards the authority to mandate masking.
READ MORE: County Commissioners Hear Seven Oaks Classical School Appeal
Commissioner Lee Jones acknowledged the school’s interpretation of the law while reading the board’s decision.
“Because the health order was clarified after the appeal, and your interpretation may have been sincere, we will waive the fine,” she said. “But do expect you to comply with this and all future health orders.”
Jones said commissioner Julie Thomas will work with the county legal team to draft a written opinion by Oct. 5.
Monroe County Health Department administrator Penny Caudill said Seven Oaks is the only school in the county to be cited for violating the mask mandate.
