MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — With COVID-19 cases on the rise and the new recommendations from the CDC on masking in schools, exactly what can students expect when they return to class in a few weeks?

Education leaders say the decision on wearing masks in the classroom should be made on the local level.

“Every school system in the state of Alabama has the autonomy to make a decision for themselves,” said Michael Sibley, communications director with the Alabama Department of Education.

Sibley said despite rising COVID-19 cases in Alabama, the department is following the lead of state health leaders.

“We take our cues from the Alabama Department of Public Health. So, it will be in consultation with ADPH if that order were to come down if it were to,” he said.

State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said it’s hard to compare the risks in one school system to another and agrees masking decisions should made by local school boards. But he encourages all who can, to get vaccinated.

“Remember, schools are not just full of kids they are full of adults as well. We certainly encourage everyone who is in a school setting to be vaccinated if it’s possible for them to do that,” Harris said.

But even so, there is still the chance of COVID-19 hot spots popping at schools around the state. And if that happens, educators need to be ready to react.

“Virtual learning, masking and all the other things that came as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. We have that experience under our belt now so, as we move forward into the coming school year, we hope that school systems remember the lessons learned over the past year,” Sibley said.

Meanwhile, Gov. Kay Ivey has maintained her position that students need to return to the classroom and that she had no plans to re-impose any type of statewide mask mandate.