Masks Optional This School Year In Strongsville, District Says

STRONGSVILLE, OH — Face coverings will be optional this school year in Strongsville, the district said.

"As things are always evolving with the pandemic, they have also stated that should conditions change, this direction may change. However, there has been no change in direction at this point in time," the district said in a statement sent to Patch.

On Monday, the Ohio Department of Health held a news conference recommending unvaccinated students, staff and teachers don face masks for the coming school year. Concern is particularly high for vulnerable populations as the delta variant is spreading rapidly in Ohio, according to Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, the department's chief medical officer.

If the Strongsville City Schools Board of Education decides to change its mask policy, it would do so at its next board meeting on Aug. 5. Any changes to current policy must be finalized at that meeting, a district spokesperson said.

Read more: Unvaccinated Students Should Wear Masks In Ohio: ODH

Ohio legislators and Gov. Mike DeWine barred schools from requiring students or staff from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, until the vaccines receive full approval from the Food and Drug Administration. All three COVID-19 vaccines — from Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson — were granted emergency approval, but not full approval.