14 hours ago by Danielle Prieur (WMFE) Photo: Jairo Gonzalez The Orange County School Board voted 7-1 to make face masks optional in the fall at Orange County Public Schools during a meeting Thursday night. Board member Linda Kobert spoke in favor of making masks optional as in every other public and private space right now in the county, masks are not required. “If we were to continue the mask mandate, our children would be the only citizens in Orange County left under a mask mandate. No other citizens in Orange County exist under that mandate.” Kobert says families with medical concerns should consult with their physicians.