School districts are only under the authority and oversight of the state Department of Education, Caraker said. Dr. Rebekah Bernard, the president of the board of directors for the Collier County Medical Society, said the group recommends people continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for mask use and social distancing. Bernard added that CCMS believes masks reduce the transmission of the virus to others. "It's been a long year, and your hard work kept students in school, which we know is important to their mental health and to their well being so we appreciate all that you do," Bernard said during a presentation to the board.