LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — The Lake County school board is keeping its mask optional policy, for now.
After a three-hour special meeting Thursday morning, board members voted to table any decision to gather more data.
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After Thursday’s session, the board chair said he really wanted to see a vote, but members were too far apart on the best time to do it, so they made the choice to wait.
“I’m not comfortable taking action today,” said Board Member Marc Donald.
Deeply divided board members debated the mask policy for Lake County Schools.
“I frankly think that schools should be shut down, said Board Member Kristi Burns.
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As the district reported more than 600 total cases with nearly 3,000 students in quarantine, a principal pleaded for help.
“I have a school with 57 children with COVID and continuing to grow,” said Treadway Elementary Principal Venessa King.
The superintendent first recommended a risk-based expansion of the mask policy with a parental opt-out, starting at schools with the biggest outbreaks.
Public reaction then filled the next 90 minutes.
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“You can’t rush into a decision, so I think it is better that they – a lot of them – want to get more information, and that’s always the better way to go,” said parent Aaron Masterson.
Board Chair Bill Mathias called it a tough no-decision.
“We want to be transparent; we want people to understand what we’re doing and not get caught up in whether a special meeting could be voted on or not voted on,” Mathias said.
This next meeting will be held at the county administration building to accommodate turnout.
The board is working to reschedule it in the evening so more parents can attend.
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