Volusia County School Board Member Says Masks Could Be Mandated

DeLand, FL – Tomorrow’s (August 10) Volusia County School Board agenda does not list any items specifically mentioning the current coronavirus surge but District 4 Representative Carl Persis said "it’s certainly on everyone’s mind." Persis said that he believes that VCSB will likely take a position similar to other counties, which have already mandated face coverings for 30 days from the first day of school, with parents being able to opt out. "Now that we have a good understanding of the Health Department’s orders as well as the Governor’s executive order, we would probably want to take a position very similar taken by Seminole County and Orange County." If a face-covering mandate with the parental opt-out is issued, Persis said they will still have to determine how long the mandate will last.  He said it could be 30 days or it could be for a date-certain, such as October 1. VCSB could take a look at the situation in mid-September to decide if the mandate should be extended.  When asked about Governor Ron DeSantis’s executive order banning mask mandates, Persis said that the language in the mandates issued by other districts includes the parental opt-out portion. A workshop is scheduled for 10 a.m. where Lisa Lewis, Volusia County Supervisor of Elections will provide an overview of the redistricting process. Also on that agenda, the Board will hear the  Superintendent’s goals for the 2021-2022 School Year. The regular meeting begins at 3:30 p.m.