LEBANON, Tenn. (WTVF) — Wilson County School Board members voted in favor of a mask requirement Monday evening.
In a 5 - 2 vote, board members required teachers, students and staff to a face mask or face shield in the school building. Wilson Co. is one of the few districts in Middle Tennessee that issued a requirement.
A few Wilson County school board members say their opinions changed after the last meeting when the motion was originally voted down.
What changed their minds was the State Attorney General saying mandated mask wearing is constitutionally defensible.
Also with the Governor strongly encouraging face coverings -- members felt this was enough to push through with the recommendation.
"We're either in or out, that's we need to be voting on in my opinion. We either need to have mask or we're not going to have mask," said school board member Bill Robinson.
This will be for all students K through 12, as well as staff and visitors until the action is rescinded by the board.
Masks will be worn at all times, even when social distancing is possible.
There will be leniency for our very young students and those with disabilities.
Board members say this is the only way to help put students and staff back on track to traditional learning.
"The only way we're going to get back to regular school is by keeping ourselves more isolated with all the recommendations been given," said school board member Chad Karl.
The district says they have plenty of mask for all students.
Students will return to either virtual or traditional learning on Aug. 17.
All residents in Wilson County are also under a mask requirement, which was recently extended until August 29.
