Masks In Schools: MD School Board Gives Local Districts Authority

MARYLAND — The Maryland State Board of Education decided Tuesday to lift its statewide mandate that students and staff wear face coverings in school. Instead, the decision about masking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will rest with each local jurisdiction and its respective school board.

The decision does not take effect until state lawmakers ratify it.

"I want to thank the State Board of Education for heeding our call to rescind its school mask policy," Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. "This action aligns with the data and the science, the recommendation of the State Superintendent of Schools, and the guidance of medical professionals across the country."

Related: Masks In MD Schools: Hogan Urges State Board To Lift Mandate

Health metrics indicate the slowing of the spread of COVID-19 in Maryland. The seven-day coronavirus positivity rate was 2.92 percent for the week that ended Sunday, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

The case rate in Maryland has declined by nearly 95 percent since the omicron variant caused a spike in infections this winter, the governor reported.

"At a time when Maryland has the lowest COVID-19 metrics in the country, this is a major step for normalcy and the well-being of our students," said Hogan after the state school board voted Tuesday.

The Maryland State Board of Education reportedly voted Tuesday afternoon, 12-2, to rescind its statewide mask mandate in schools.

Local boards of education and lawmakers "are the ones to decide this regulation," State Board of Education member Vermelle Greene said at the meeting.

"I understand that people may be concerned about the health metrics," Greene said. "However, we have 24 local school districts led by very intelligent superintendents, very intelligent board members, just as intelligent we are. And I would like to think, and I believe, that they will take the same steps to protect their children as we would." She said she saw a positive trend coming out of the issue of masking in schools, and that was parental involvement, something she encouraged families to continue.

The governor also thanked parents for speaking out on the matter of masking in schools.

One member of the board said she was concerned.

"I just feel like we're a couple of weeks too early," said Rachel L. McCusker, who is the teacher on the state school board. She said that she would like more time and data on the latest COVID-19 variant.

While the state school board authorized rescinding its policy, the Maryland General Assembly's Joint Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review Committee must ratify the decision.

Said Hogan: "The General Assembly must now act swiftly to ratify the state board’s decision."

Masks will still be required on buses, which is a federal policy.

Related: Mask Mandate To Be Lifted In Anne Arundel County Public Schools