FLORIDA, USA — If the Commissioner of Education gets his way, your child won't have to wear a face mask next school year.
In a letter sent out Wednesday, Commissioner Richard Corcoran asked school districts across the state to no longer make face masks mandatory during the 2021-22 school year. The commissioner cited a lack of evidence that linked mask mandates and the spread of COVID-19 in schools.
The letter did not, however, detail the specific evidence. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend that, at this time, "masks be worn at all times, by all people in school facilities, with certain exceptions for certain people, or for certain settings or activities, such as while eating or drinking."
10 Tampa Bay has requested the specific data referenced in the Commissioner's letter.
Dr. Jill Roberts, a molecular epidemiologist at the University of South Florida says we shouldn't do away with masks until transmission levels are lower and vaccine rates are higher.
"Until we have that conversation about vaccinating kids, I don’t think it’s time to put that mask away," said Dr. Roberts.
As a parent, Dr. Roberts doesn't like the idea of her young child in a classroom with unmasked students saying, "Unfortunately, I feel a side effect of taking masks away may drive a lot more parents back to online."
MORE HERE: Florida education commissioner asks school districts to make face masks voluntary next year
Wearing masks in schools has been a topic of debate all year and Aden Barnes, a Pinellas County mom is relieved by the Commissioner's new guidance.
"I was so relieved and so pleased because I feel like this is a step towards normalcy for these children," said Barnes who created an online petition advocating for optional mask policies in schools.
By Thursday, school districts, teachers, and parents began reacting to the letter.
Nancy Velardi, president of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association, said she's planning to poll her members on the subject as soon as possible.
The last poll was in November; and at that time, teachers voted for masks to stay.
Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association President Rob Kriete said, "Local districts should have the ability to revisit the policy next school year. We do not have a position on whether or not masks should be required for next year, yet."
Hillsborough County Public Schools:
We thank our students and staff for being vigilant this school year in following important protocols for the health and safety of everyone on our campuses. Our district will continue to work closely with public health experts and local government entities to reevaluate mask guidelines as we move toward next school year. Hillsborough County Public Schools has successfully implemented proper health protocols since the pandemic began with the help of TGH and USF Health, and we will continue to do so moving through the summer months.
Statement from Superintendent Dr. Michael Grego, Pinellas County Schools:
As I stated during Tuesday’s Pinellas County School Board meeting, it is the district’s desire and intention to open the 2021-2022 school year as ‘normal’ as possible without a mandatory mask requirement. We will continue to meet with our medical advisory group members, who have successfully led us through this school year.
Polk County Public Schools:
Polk County Public Schools will continue to require face coverings for the remainder of this current school year (2020-21).
We greatly appreciate our students and staff members following important safety measures that have made in-person learning possible.
Florida’s commissioner of education recently sent a memo asking school districts to consider making face coverings voluntary for the upcoming school year (2021-22).
We will continue to have discussions over the summer about our safety protocols for the upcoming school year. Our face-covering policy will certainly be among those measures under review.
As we have throughout the pandemic, we will work closely with the Florida Department of Health in Polk County and analyze the latest data available when considering safety measures for our schools.
We are thankful for your patience and support, and we will provide updates through all communication channels as more information becomes available.
Pasco County Schools:
Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning is on the record as saying that he is optimistic that masks and face coverings will not be necessary in the fall for the start of the 2021-22 school year, and that it is his hope that our school district will be able to transition to a “masks optional” status in the fall.
Sarasota County Schools:
Per our School Board’s October 20th meeting, the face mask policy will remain in effect until the end of the 2020-21 school year. Please note our face mask policy has a number of exemptions to try and accommodate both the learning needs and health & safety needs of our school communities. At this time, no definitive decisions have been made as to whether face masks will be mandatory next school year. It is still too early to determine plans in light of the ever-changing COVID pandemic.
We are all hoping for as “normal” a start to the 2021-22 school year as possible. As we monitor developments and guidance from the CDC and FLDOE, as well as recommendations from the local and state Department of Health, we will continue to perform our due diligence regarding district-wide plans.
School District of Manatee County:
Ultimately our School Board will make decisions as to mandatory or optional masks wearing based on circumstances here in Manatee County.
Right now masks are still mandatory for all students and employees in our district.
A spokesperson said the Manatee School Board will discuss the topic of masks at its next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 27.
Check back as this story is being updated throughout the day.
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