- April 19, 2024
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Face coverings are now optional at Volusia County Schools and district facilities following a unanimous vote by the Volusia County School Board on Monday, June 14.
The vote, which amended the current mandatory district mask policy, took place in a special meeting, and the change was effective immediately. In addition, the policy strikes any disciplinary action toward students not wearing masks but does allow students, teachers, and staff to continue to wear a face mask or shield if they would like to do so. The policy also states that, should COVID-19 conditions escalate, and upon receiving guidance or direction from state officials, the superintendent will notify the board should the policy need to be reconsidered.
In a press release, VCS stated that the "Volusia County School Board will continue to monitor best-practices outlined by the CDC and governmental health agencies."
Only one member of the public spoke at the meeting. Carol Sawyer, a bus operator for Volusia County Schools, asked that the district keep a stock of alcohol wipes and hand sanitizer on school buses to reduce the overall spread of germs.
“Bus driver and attendants, and a lot of students, are still using the hand sanitizer even though they don’t have to," she said.
Superintendent Scott Fritz said that, along with Cuthbert's request that hand sanitizer be kept in all classrooms as well, was reasonable.
“I think that we have learned some things along this process," Fritz said. "That’s just good practice at this point.”
In the past, School Board member Ruben Colon had expressed reservations about lifting the mask mandate, but at the meeting, he was hopeful for the future. He said he spoke with the health department that day and that Volusia's 14-day positivity rate was 4.09%, with 51% of eligible residents having received at least one dose of the vaccine.
“I think we’re getting to the other side," Colon said. "For that reason, I gladly will support this.”
