If you were hoping to send your kids back to school without masks for the next school year, those hopes took a hit Tuesday as the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) told schools the mask mandate would remain in place.

On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Blue Ridge Schools Superintendent Dr. Hilary Stanifer told Regional Radio News this is just starting to make its rounds to area school leaders and school boards.

While she was hopeful masks could be lifted heading into the new school year, Dr. Stanifer is not completely caught off guard by the new guidance. She is, however, still happy that school days will be normal next year and there will be no remote learning option next year.

Dr. Stanifer points out, this guidance is coming in May and there are nearly three months before school starts back up again. She is holding out hope things could change later in the summer.