MOCO School Mask Mandate Lifted, School Board Says

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Masking is now optional in Montgomery County Public Schools and on buses, the Board of Education decided in a unanimous vote Tuesday.

"The decision to wear or remove a mask is an individual and very personal one," said Board President Brenda Wolff. "We respect the decisions of our families, our students, our teachers and administrators and we ask that our community demonstrate that same respect. "

Superintendent Monifa McKnight acknowledged that community members have a wide range of opinions when it comes to masking in schools. She asked that everyone respect other people's decisions when it comes to masking.

"Everybody's tolerance for risk varies," said Board member Lynne Harris at the meeting. "Nobody should have to explain theirs."

Harris added that she wants to ensure that no one is bullied for their mask choices, and they know their resources if anything does happen in school.

The district had announced at the end of February that the Board would likely end the mask mandate at Tuesday's meeting.

"The changes to our mask policy will be welcome to some and it may be worrying to others," a community message the district sent last week reads. "There will be students, teachers and administrators who want or need to continue to mask in our schools. We must respect that."

The Montgomery County mask mandate ended Feb. 22.

"We ask everyone to respect the decisions made by individuals who continue to wear masks and the rules instituted by businesses, health care and service providers and venues located in Montgomery County," said Council President Gabe Albornoz in a news release when it lifted. "The Council will continue to monitor COVID-19 trends and developments with County Executive Elrich and our public health experts, as the pandemic begins to transition into an endemic stage."