MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The Berkeley County Board of Education has moved to continue requiring masks in school buildings despite opposition from some parents.
A special meeting was held Thursday where board members voted to extend the current mask policy.
Board President Darin Gilpin said the decision was based on COVID-19 weekly transmission rates, which he said, are still too high.
“When we know that those kids are all in a classroom and wearing a mask, we don’t have to shut the whole classroom or whole school down,” he said.
Gilpin said students need to be in the classroom in order to learn effectively.
“They were out last year. Virtual school did not work. We need these kids in school,” he said.
Push back from parents like Tiffany Wallech came at Thursday’s meeting. Wallech said the mask extension might lead some parents to consider homeschooling their kids.
“I think a lot of parents have discussed private school and possibly home schooling. We have a couple parents who have already taken their kids out to home-school,” Wallech said. “Our next step is going to be to have another group meeting to sit down and discuss what our options are.”
Mask recommendations were previously made by Berkeley/Morgan County Health Officer Dr. Kevin McLaughlin.
In a statement to parents Thursday night, Superintendent Dr. Patrick Murphy issued a statement saying in part, “At this time, the COVID-19 transmission rate remains HIGH therefore, face coverings will be required by all students and staff in Berkeley County Schools facilities and buses as a mitigation measure to reduce both mass quarantines of classrooms and schools and the risk of a contracting illness.”
Murphy said the school system’s goal has always been to return students safely to the classroom for in-person learning.