LINCOLN - As it stands now, there will be no universal masking requirements at Lincoln Public Schools when students return next month.

Instead, a "targeted model" will be used to start the school year, according to Superintendent Paul Gausman on Tuesday, July 26. This entails making decisions on a building-by-building basis.

Officials do not have a specific number of COVID-19 cases in a classroom, program, or building that triggers mask requirements according to the Director of Communications Mindy Burbach.

Instead, LPS works with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department to examine each outbreak individually.

Gausman said the masking question is the issue he hears most often from parents and staff. He says the district's goal is to keep schools open while following the science and data.

"This is not something that should be political," he said. "I want you to know that we have guiding priorities for this challenge. We aren't going to make a decision based on the passion of an email."

LPS is expected to release more details on its pandemic procedures for the 2022-23 school year later this week.

August 15 is the first day of school for LPS students.

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