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Guilford County Schools, Thomasville City Schools, Montgomery County Schools boards vote to make masks optional in schools

Guilford County school leaders voted, Monday, during a special meeting to make masks optional for students and staff.

GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. — Guilford County Schools’ Board of Education members voted, Monday, during a special meeting, to lift the mandatory mask mandate making it optional for students and teachers. 

The board voted 8-1 in favor of the decision after Guilford County Commissioners recently voted to remove the county-wide mask mandate. The move followed after North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper urged school districts and local governments to lift mask mandates. 

Some are elated about the change.

"It feels a lot better," Corbyn Berlin, a third-grader said. "When we had the masks we couldn't see our friend's faces and if you had glasses it would fog up so it's a lot better without the mask."

Others are unsure.

"I think it's still too soon," Melissa Jenkins, the mom of a Kindergartener said. "I never know who is sick, who is coming to school with COVID."

Jenkins worries because her daughter, Mackenzie Idol, has Asthma.

"It feels really great to have a mask on so I don't get everyone sick," Idol said.

Both Jenkins and Berlin's dad, John, agree on one measure the district passed.

The board also ruled to let visitors and volunteers back into school buildings.

"I have been to her school one time to see her teacher and that was for orientation," Jenkins said.

"It was nice to hear we can be a part of the school programs and help the teachers and help the schools too," John Berlin said.

As far as buses, masks will still be required on GCS buses and public transportation because it's a CDC requirement.  

They also lifted mandatory testing for unvaccinated students and staff involved with sports or extracurriculars.

Thomasville City Schools also voted 4-1 to go mask optional in all its schools. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is expected to vote Tuesday night. 

Montgomery County Schools voted Thursday night to make masks optional for students and staff starting Monday. 

Masks will still be required for Montgomery County Schools students on buses.

"While the mask policy is now optional, everyone's decision to wear or not wear a mask will be respected," read a statement from Montgomery County Schools. "Masks will still be available for anyone, and physical distancing will still be encouraged."

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