Mask Mandate To End At Stafford County Schools This Month

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — Masks will become optional at Stafford County Public Schools on Feb. 22. The Stafford County School Board decided to end the mask mandate through a 5-2 vote at their meeting on Thursday.

The vote was held at a special meeting of the school board on Thursday night, and about 30 Stafford residents attended and spoke during public comment.

Last month, Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order that intended to make masks optional in public schools across the state. The executive order was the subject of scrutiny, as many school districts kept their mask mandates.

In February, a bill passed through the Virginia Senate that would make mask wearing optional in schools. The bill will now head to Republican-controlled House of Delegates.

Not everyone is ready to end mask mandates though. Dr. Amanda Chase, who represents the Falmouth District on the Stafford County School Board, said she thought it may be too soon to remove mask mandates.

"I'm concerned that the 22nd is a little too soon," Chase said at Thursday's board meeting. "I would be happy to wait for the General Assembly and the governor to go through the correct process."

Maureen Sigmeund represents the Garrisonville district on the school board. The board room erupted with applause when she asked if they "had to wait until the 22nd" to remove the mask mandate. The board ultimately decided to wait until Feb. 22 to drop their mask mandate.

"We know that for some, this news causes concern," Superintendent Thomas Taylor said in a letter to families on Friday. "We will provide all staff and students with KN95 or N95 masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) upon request. Further, we will continue to keep to three feet of social distancing."

Students will still need to wear masks on buses, due to federal mandates under guidance from the Centers for Disease Control. Students will also have to wear masks when they return from isolation or quarantine after exposure to COVID or a positive COVID test.

More details about Stafford County schools' new mask policy is available online.

This article originally appeared on the Fredericksburg Patch