Pender County Board of Education  voted last week to make masks optional in our schools, for all grade levels, with no virtual option for elementary students.

We are seeing rising cases of Covid throughout our state, including here in Pender County, which currently has high spread and a 16% positivity rate. Study after study shows that masks help reduce the spread of this virus,  which can wreak havoc on the human body. The School Toolkit, put out by Governor Cooper, states that masks should be worn by all students and staff in our schools. Not following these guidelines will lead to more cases in our county and quarantines for students who have already dealt with so much over the past 2 years.

Pender County Schools policy makes it very clear that their purpose is to provide quality education for every student while making sure they are safe and their individual needs are met. The board should  not risk the health of our students, many who are too young to be vaccinated, nor deprive them of educational instruction.

That is why we are asking the board to reconsider their stance on masking in our schools, and require all individuals inside the buildings to wear face coverings. We are also asking them to offer elementary students a virtual option in case they need to be home for their safety, or the safety of family members who may be high risk. We encourage them to do this as soon as possible so parents are able to make the right decisions for their children before school starts.