York City schools make masking recommended, not required
Meredith WillseThe York City School Board voted Wednesday night to make "masking recommended, but not required," a measure that took effect Thursday.
Superintendent Andrea J. Berry said York and surrounding areas continue to see low-level transmission of COVID-19.
“Although, I may want to definitely add that we are having some upticks in cases around the county, as well as the state and nation,” she said.
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The district, which previously required masking in school, had 46 cases in February, seven in March and 14 in April, according to its COVID dashboard.
“As of today, there are 26 cases,” she told the board directors, adding that the number is a little higher than preferred. The cases are not concentrated in one school, she added, and affect both students and staff.
According to the results of a survey the district shared with staff, students and family, the majority — 45% — supported making masking recommended but not required versus continuing with a mask mandate or eliminating the advisory altogether.
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The motion passed in a 5-3 vote.
The next school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. June 22. Meetings are streamed live on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/YorkBearcats.
— Reach Meredith Willse at mwillse@yorkdispatch.com or on Twitter at @MeredithWillse.