SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Suffolk’s school board talked about reopening plans for the upcoming school year on Thursday night, including plans for face masks.
The public meeting started at 7 p.m.
Suffolk is one of several local districts that hadn’t decided on whether to masks mandatory for all students and staff, but on Thursday, they adopted the recommended return-to-learn plan from administrators that suggested all staff, students and visitors be required to wear masks in all SPS facilities.
The plan passed 7-1, with only board member Sherri Story voting “no.”
The plan also includes some other restrictions, including meal plans and social distancing requirements.
Suffolk’s neighbor, Chesapeake, decided this week to keep masks optional. Virginia Beach opted to make them mandatory.
Gov. Ralph Northam has said a new state law requires school districts to follow CDC guidance, which currently recommends masking for all students and staff regardless of vaccination status. He’s talked about legal action against districts that don’t comply, but it’s unclear how that would go about.
Watch the full board meeting below.