Credit Santa Rosa County School Board
The Santa Rosa County School Board this morning eased its mask policy and is now recommending that face coverings be worn.
The unanimous vote followed about 45 minutes of county residents objecting to the former policy, which mandated masks in county schools. Superintendent Dr. Karen Barber said the recommendation was based on an advisory Thursday from Surgeon General Scott Rivkees, lifting mask-wearing and social distancing guidelines.
Board member Linda Sanborn was absent from the 8 a.m. special meeting. Voting in favor were board members Elizabeth Hewey, Carol Boston, Charles Elliott and Chairwoman Wei Ueberschaer.
Prior to the vote, more than a dozen residents went to the lectern to encourage eliminating masks in schools. Some questioned the science behind wearing masks; others said children are being hurt by being forced to wear masks.