Universal masking for students and staff will no longer be required in Waynesboro Public Schools effective Tuesday, Feb. 22, according to a letter from Superintendent Jeffrey Cassell posted to social media on Thursday.
And in Staunton, Superintendent Garrett Smith informed parents via email later Thursday that the school system there will also comply with the legislation signed into law by Gov. Glenn Youngkin this week giving parents an opt-out from masking requirements.
Masking will still be required on school division buses and cars in both localities in compliance with the federal masking mandate for transportation.
“The school division still recognizes that the CDC recommends multiple ‘layers’ of prevention strategies to minimize disease transmission,” Cassell wrote in his letter to Waynesboro school parents. “Even though masks are no longer required in our schools, the school division has plenty of masks, cleaning supplies and strategies in place to continue layered prevention strategies.”
“Staunton City Schools will comply with this new state law, beginning with our next student day on Tuesday, February 22,” Smith wrote to Staunton parents. “We still encourage students and staff to wear masks while we remain in an area of high or substantial transmission.”
The mask mandate was lifted in Augusta County schools beginning with classes on Monday.
Story by Chris Graham
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