As the numbers for new COVID-19 cases continue to the drop Statewide, most Schuylkill County School Districts have or will be making mask wearing optional, with a few exceptions.
The topic of mask wearing in schools and at public events has been a controversial since the start of the pandemic.
Several months ago, parents who were against and for wearing masks were attending school board meetings making their voices heard.
After the spike in cases after the holidays, the numbers of new cases has plummeted which has those same school boards reassessing their policies.
With the latest announcement on Thursday afternoon, North Schuylkill has joined the districts of Blue Mountain, Pine Grove, Mahanoy Area, Pottsville, Schuylkill Haven, Tamaqua, Tri-Valley, and Williams Valley who have made mask wearing optional.
North Schuylkill's new policy will officially go into affect on Monday, February 21st, 2022.
Gillingham Charter, Minersville, Shenandoah Valley, and Saint Clair are the only remaining districts in Schuylkill County that have not announced mask policy changes and continue to make them mandatory for staff and students.