VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Schools are closed for the long Labor Day weekend, but once classes start again, so will the fight over masks in the classroom.
Volusia County Schools’ new mask mandate is set to start Tuesday. Parents won’t be allowed to opt their children out unless there’s a medical reason. But that mandate could change later this week.
The mask mandate will be back up for debate on Thursday during an emergency meeting. But as COVID-19 cases keep going up, parents fighting for the coverings aren’t expected to budge.
Volusia School Board debates possible mask mandate Volusia Public Schools became the latest to consider implementing a mask mandate despite an order by the governor banning such policies.
Volusia School Board debates possible mask mandate Volusia Public Schools became the latest to consider implementing a mask mandate despite an order by the governor banning such policies.
Volusia School Board debates possible mask mandate Volusia Public Schools became the latest to consider implementing a mask mandate despite an order by the governor banning such policies.
Volusia School Board debates possible mask mandate Volusia Public Schools became the latest to consider implementing a mask mandate despite an order by the governor banning such policies.
Volusia School Board debates possible mask mandate Volusia Public Schools became the latest to consider implementing a mask mandate despite an order by the governor banning such policies.
Volusia School Board debates possible mask mandate Volusia Public Schools became the latest to consider implementing a mask mandate despite an order by the governor banning such policies.
Volusia School Board debates possible mask mandate Volusia Public Schools became the latest to consider implementing a mask mandate despite an order by the governor banning such policies.
Volusia School Board debates possible mask mandate Volusia Public Schools became the latest to consider implementing a mask mandate despite an order by the governor banning such policies.
Volusia School Board debates possible mask mandate Volusia Public Schools became the latest to consider implementing a mask mandate despite an order by the governor banning such policies.
Volusia School Board debates possible mask mandate Volusia Public Schools became the latest to consider implementing a mask mandate despite an order by the governor banning such policies.
The district said more than 820 students have already tested positive for COVID-19 since the school year started. About a third of the students have received vaccines.
Lake County Schools on Thursday are also set to discuss the district’s mask policy again. Certain schools would make masks mandatory under the superintendent’s proposal.
The idea is to only require students and staff with the highest percentage of positive COVID-19 cases to wear masks, and if the cases drop they would be able to stop wearing masks.
Even with those exceptions and an opt-out option, some Lake County parents are still saying no to a mask mandate.
Lake County Public Schools has reported more than 600 total COVID-19 cases, with nearly 3,000 students in quarantine so far this year.
The new solution up for debate will review the percentage of enrolled students who test positive during a two-week period.
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Anti, pro-masking demonstrators clash ahead of Lake County School Board meeting Police were called to the Lake County School District office building after a faceoff between pro-mask and anti-mask crowds became heated. (Nick Papantonis)
Anti, pro-masking demonstrators clash ahead of Lake County School Board meeting Police were called to the Lake County School District office building after a faceoff between pro-mask and anti-mask crowds became heated. (Nick Papantonis)
Anti, pro-masking demonstrators clash ahead of Lake County School Board meeting Police were called to the Lake County School District office building after a faceoff between pro-mask and anti-mask crowds became heated. (Nick Papantonis)
Anti, pro-masking demonstrators clash ahead of Lake County School Board meeting Police were called to the Lake County School District office building after a faceoff between pro-mask and anti-mask crowds became heated. (Nick Papantonis)
Anti, pro-masking demonstrators clash ahead of Lake County School Board meeting Police were called to the Lake County School District office building after a faceoff between pro-mask and anti-mask crowds became heated. (Nick Papantonis)
Anti, pro-masking demonstrators clash ahead of Lake County School Board meeting Police were called to the Lake County School District office building after a faceoff between pro-mask and anti-mask crowds became heated. (Nick Papantonis)
Anti, pro-masking demonstrators clash ahead of Lake County School Board meeting Police were called to the Lake County School District office building after a faceoff between pro-mask and anti-mask crowds became heated. (Nick Papantonis)
Anti, pro-masking demonstrators clash ahead of Lake County School Board meeting Police were called to the Lake County School District office building after a faceoff between pro-mask and anti-mask crowds became heated. (Nick Papantonis)
Anti, pro-masking demonstrators clash ahead of Lake County School Board meeting Police were called to the Lake County School District office building after a faceoff between pro-mask and anti-mask crowds became heated. (Nick Papantonis)
Anti, pro-masking demonstrators clash ahead of Lake County School Board meeting Police were called to the Lake County School District office building after a faceoff between pro-mask and anti-mask crowds became heated. (Nick Papantonis)
Anti, pro-masking demonstrators clash ahead of Lake County School Board meeting Police were called to the Lake County School District office building after a faceoff between pro-mask and anti-mask crowds became heated. (Nick Papantonis)
Anti, pro-masking demonstrators clash ahead of Lake County School Board meeting Police were called to the Lake County School District office building after a faceoff between pro-mask and anti-mask crowds became heated. (Nick Papantonis)
Anti, pro-masking demonstrators clash ahead of Lake County School Board meeting Police were called to the Lake County School District office building after a faceoff between pro-mask and anti-mask crowds became heated. (Nick Papantonis)
Anti, pro-masking demonstrators clash ahead of Lake County School Board meeting Police were called to the Lake County School District office building after a faceoff between pro-mask and anti-mask crowds became heated. (Nick Papantonis)
Anti, pro-masking demonstrators clash ahead of Lake County School Board meeting Police were called to the Lake County School District office building after a faceoff between pro-mask and anti-mask crowds became heated. (Nick Papantonis)
Anti, pro-masking demonstrators clash ahead of Lake County School Board meeting Police were called to the Lake County School District office building after a faceoff between pro-mask and anti-mask crowds became heated. (Nick Papantonis)
Anti, pro-masking demonstrators clash ahead of Lake County School Board meeting Police were called to the Lake County School District office building after a faceoff between pro-mask and anti-mask crowds became heated. (Nick Papantonis)
VIDEO: Fight for masks in Lake County classrooms to continue after Labor Day Lake County Schools on Thursday also set to discuss the district’s mask policy again.
