Clarksdale Municipal School District has clarified that a previously announced mask mandate for the district on Nov. 10 to help the district address a growing number of respiratory illnesses is instead only encouraging mask usage. The initial announcement drew mixed reactions after a Facebook post informed parents and students that the district would require masks until further notice.
Superintendent Toya Harrell-Matthews declined the Mississippi Free Pressās request for an interview and instead sent a written statement. In the statement, the district said despite the wording of the post, masks were encouraged but not required.
āWhile masks are encouraged, no one will be forced to wear one or face disciplinary consequences for declining,ā Harrell-Matthews said in the Nov. 12 statement. āThese precautions will remain in place as we monitor illness-related absences and early checkouts.ā
The announcement comes days after the Mississippi Department of Education announced a 24% drop in absences across the state. MDE reported that Mississippi public school districts saw 243,766 fewer student absences in August and September 2026 than in the same period a year ago, a 24% decline. Total absences fell from 1,012,946 to 769,180. Excused absences fell 17% and unexcused absences fell 29% compared to the same months in 2025.
āMississippi has raised expectations for school attendance, and students, families and schools have proven they can meet those higher expectations,ā State Superintendent of Education Dr. Lance Evans said in a Nov. 9 press release. āRegular school attendance is so important because students who are not in school miss valuable instructional time they cannot get back.āļ»æ
The Mississippi Legislature updated the stateās compulsory school attendance law during the 2026 legislative session in order to reduce the stateās overall student absences. Students are now limited to five excused absences per semester unless the district superintendent or their designee approves more. Parents must provide doctorās excuses for absences for medical and dental appointments and students must be at school for 67% of the school day to be counted present.Ā
In its post, the district encouraged parents to keep students at home if they are sick.
āWe need your help keeping our schools healthy,ā the post said. āIf your child is not feeling well, please keep them home and have them seen by their doctor before returning to school.ā
Clarksdale Municipal School District officials highlighted the districtās āsignificant academic progressā as a factor in its decision. The district earned a C accountability rating this year under an expanded and more rigorous accountability model. The district earned an F score for the 2024-25 school year.
āSustaining that progress requires our scholars and employees to remain healthy and present for instruction,ā Harrell-Matthews said in the statement. āWith the increase in respiratory illnesses, we are taking precautionary measures to reduce the spread and maintain a safe learning environment.ā
The Mississippi State Department of Health reported a significant increase in flu-like illnesses. The latest available data from the week of October 25-31 showed the overall state rate at 2.9%, up from 2.1% the previous week. The average was higher than this time last year, when the state averaged 1.6%.
Clarksdale School officials said in their statement that the district was already providing masks for students and increasing cleaning and disinfection efforts in all buildings.
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