Montgomery County Public Schools’ Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday afternoon to make the wearing of masks optional in schools and all MCPS provided transportation “effective immediately”. The Board also stressed that everyone must respect the individual choice of all students and teachers.
Board President Brenda Wolff pointed out the choice to continue wearing a mask or to stop is “an individual and very personal one.” No one should have to explain their choice, added Boardmember Lynne Harris.
“We will be launching a campaign to promote respect for each others decisions,” said Superintendent Monifa McKnight. All students and staff must feel their choice of whether to wear a mask or not is respected. Bullying and harassment will not be tolerated, she said.
McKnight said MCPS will closely monitor the number of new COVID-19 cases in Montgomery Count, and will revisit this decision if the county moves out of its current low transmission status.
Masks will still need to be worn during quarantining, McKnight said.
MCPS will continue to distribute masks and will send all students home with rapid Covid-19 tests prior to the spring break.
Board members, all of whom were wearing a face mask during the meeting, encouraged students and staff to think outside the box for ways to keep everyone safe. With the nice weather coming, the outdoors should be used more often, they suggested.
Masks now optional in MCPS schools and on MCPS transportation "effectively immediately." @mymcmedia
— suzanne pollak (@SuzannePollak) March 8, 2022
