THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION HEARD FROM OFFICIALS AND PARENTS ABOUT THE SCHOOL MASK MANDATE AT ITS MONTHLY MEETING WEDNESDAY. 

SEVERAL PEOPLE SPOKE DURING THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PORTION OF THE MEETING, ASKING THE BOARD TO LEAVE IT UP TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DECIDE MASK RULES AND EXPRESSING CONCERNS ABOUT STUDENTS WEARING MASKS ALL DAY, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH ALLERGIES. SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAID THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT TEACHERS AND STAFF ENFORCING THE MANDATE AND DEALING WITH ANGRY PARENTS. PRIOR TO THE COMMENTS, STATE SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT CARMEN AYALA DISCUSSED THE IMPORTANCE OF EVERYONE WEARING MASKS AT SCHOOL.

DOWNSTATE WESTVILLE SUPERINTENDENT SETH MILLER EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT ENFORCEMENT.

THE MANDATE REQUIRES ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF TO WEAR A MASK INDOORS, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY'VE BEEN VACCINATED.