COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WTVF) — A motion to make face masks required in Maury County schools failed during a school board meeting.
Students are set to return to school on Monday, Aug. 10 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Board Chair Bettye Kinser made the motion to require masks in schools. The school district's attorney, Jake Wolaver, told members that a mandate would be the best option for the school district at this time.
However, that was not the overwhelming opinion. One board member took issue with the way the requirement was brought up, saying it should have been discussed in a separate special-called meeting in order to give the community time to attend the meeting and voice their opinions.
Another posed the question of why the adults in the room haven't been required to wear masks.
"Eight out of what, 25 or 30 that are here aren't wearing masks, but yet we're going to mandate children to do it," said board member Michael Fulbright.
You can watch the full school board meeting here.
Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles has opposed a countywide mask mandate since Gov. Lee gave local mayors the authority to issue them. However, in recent days, he has been encouraging people to "wear masks when appropriate."
