MOORESVILLE, N.C. — The Mooresville Board of Education voted on Sunday evening to make masks optional in schools this fall. The board said it would reevaluate its decision if there are clusters in classrooms.
Dozens of parents spoke to the school board during the public comments section of the meeting. Initially, public comments were limited to 30 minutes, with 10 people speaking for three minutes each. Because of the demand, the board extended public comments to hear from more parents.
The board, made up of five members, then looked at two proposals and voted on the second one, which makes masks optional in classrooms.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has recently recommended masks in classrooms but has not required them.
"The guidance in the toolkit strongly states that schools should require masks indoors for everyone, students and teachers in kindergarten through 8th grade. It also directs schools to ensure unvaccinated high school students and teachers wear masks indoors," Gov. Cooper said during a news conference.
The new guidance from the state strongly encourages districts to require masks for students and teachers in kindergarten through eighth grade. Unvaccinated high school students are recommended to wear masks while at school. Ultimately, it is up to the individual districts to decide.
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