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OC Board Of Education Says Districts Should Reopen Without Mask Requirement Or Social Distancing
Children in a preschool class play while wearing facemasks. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
The Orange County Board of Education is recommending schools reopen next month without masks or social distancing.
The board voted 4-to-1 Monday night to approve the proposal. The vote is not binding on the county's 28 schools districts, since the board makes recommendations, not policy.
The recommendation issued by the elected board on Monday night is contrary to guidelines previously issued by the Orange County Department of Education that "encourage" students to wear masks and face coverings "to the extent feasible."
OC Department of Education Superintendent Al Mijares says it's up to locally elected school boards and superintendents to decide whether to reopen for the new school year.
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