Masks will be optional for students and staff in York County schools in the coming year, and required in Hampton schools, both boards decided Wednesday night.
Last month, a statewide emergency order requiring masks in schools was not extended, so the decision is up to local school boards.
The state has recommended schools require students and staff wear masks indoors at elementary schools. For middle and high schools, the state recommended schools require masks for unvaccinated students and staff.
At the York County School Board meeting, 26 people spoke during the public comment section, the majority requesting masks be optional.
Some parents cited masks being unnecessary or creating negative social/emotional effects for their children. One parent said requiring children to wear masks was a form of “physical abuse”.
A few spoke in support of a requirement.
Lindsay Fogarty said her son, going into third grade, has a disease that makes him more vulnerable to severe COVID-19 symptoms.
“The idea that a school board of people with no medical expertise is responsible for the safety of these children, it doesn’t make any sense unless you’re following the guidelines put in place by the CDC,” she said.
The CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all students and staff of K-12 schools regardless of vaccination status.
The York County School District superintendent made a recommendation to begin the school year, which will have in-person learning five days a week, with masks required for students and staff. The school board voted to amend the superintendent’s recommendation to make masks optional indoors for the beginning of the school year. The amendment passed 3-2, with members Sean Myatt and Brett Higginbotham voting no.
Students and staff will still have to wear masks while on public transportation due to a federal mandate.
The board said it will revisit the decision every two weeks based on COVID-19 mitigation standards.
Meanwhile, the Hampton School Board voted to require masks for all K-12 students and staff while in school buildings. Hampton will also have in-person learning five days a week for the 2021-2022 school year. The board said in a statement it will re-evaluate the mask requirement by the end of the first quarter and make adjustments as needed.
