The masks remain optional in Polk county public schools.
Polk School Board members heard passionate debate from both sides but take no action on the mask issue.
School Board Chairwoman Lori Cunningham and Vice-Chairwoman Kay Fields came down on opposite sides.
Cunningham said she has not seen any evidence that masks work, particularly in schools. She pointed out that she has never worn a mask during a School Board meeting, although she wears one into the building to be respectful of the rules the district places on the public.
As Vice Chairman Kay Fields tried to make a motion for an emergency mask mandate, but Chairman Lori Cunningham ended the meeting without calling for a second, which is against Robert’s Rules of Order.
However, during a state of emergency, a superintendent or a majority of the School Board can require masks without a policy.
According to PCPS Superintendent Frederick Heid a new COVID-19 dashboard with real-time data is coming to the school district’s website.