A Central Ohio school district advised parents Tuesday morning that its board voted to make face masks optional.
The North Union Local School District Board of Education in Union County approved a motion to "make facial coverings voluntary effective immediately." The district superintendent sent out a message to parents around 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
The move concerns Ohio Education Association President Scott DiMauro, who notes that the state and CDC recommend schools enforce masks at least through the end of the school year.
“We know that as more people get vaccinated that is putting us in a better position in terms of health and safety,” DiMauro said. “But we still have the vast majority of our students who have not been vaccinated yet.”
The state opened COVID-19 vaccination to kids above the age of 12-years-old last week.
A few weeks ago, Blanchester Local School District in Clinton County also made masks optional. DiMauro said a local union challenged that school board’s decision.
“As reps of employees who work in our schools, we have an obligation to stand up for the health and safety of our students, as well as our staff,” DiMauro said. “So whether it’s by raising legal objections, advocating with school boards, raising concerns to the attention of state officials, our members at the local level are standing up.”
The State of Ohio advises schools to maintain mask mandates at least through the end of the school year.
