by Larry Chowning –
At least for now, the Middlesex County School Board (MCSB) voted not to abide by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s “Order No. 2,” which allows parents to decide if their children wear masks in school.
During wintry conditions outside on Friday, Jan. 21, MCSB met in the St. Clare Walker Middle School auditorium at 6 p.m. to give the public an opportunity to express its opinions on masks.
About 25 people showed-up and 15 people spoke at the public hearing, with eight speaking in favor of parents deciding the mask issue and the rest who spoke wanting the school system to continue to mandate masking in schools.
The school board voted, 4-1, to continue under the policy that all students, teachers and others who enter Middlesex schools must wear a mask. The matter, however, will be reevaluated at the board’s Feb.14 regular monthly meeting.
Youngkin’s order specifically mandated schools must institute volunteer masking by Monday, Jan. 24. This decision by MCSB comes on the heels of Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares warning school systems that if the governor’s order is not instituted on Jan. 24 “school officials will be hearing from my office.” Several school systems have already thumbed their noses up at the mandate and are willing to let the court system decide.
MCSB took the stance that before making a decision school officials needed more time to review a 14-page document from the Virginia Department of Health (VDOH) concerning COVID-19. The report arrived at 4:35 p.m. on Friday, just before the 6 p.m. public hearing…
There's more to this story...
Are you a subscriber? Log in
Many more news articles, photos and ads are available only to those who subscribe to our printed newspaper or our online e-Edition.
Pick up a copy or Subscribe today!
| e-Edition | Printed version |
For assistance, call 804-758-2328.
