Wood County Schools Superintendent Will Hosaflook listens to a presentation during the Sept. 22, 2020, Wood County Board of Education meeting.

Superintendent: Wood Schools will not require masks this fall

PARKERSBURG - Wood County Schools Superintendent Will Hosaflook says schools will encourage but not require masks for students this fall.

Hosaflook made the announcement during Tuesday’s meeting of the Wood County Board of Education. 

However, Hosaflook cautioned that could change depending on decisions made by Gov. Jim Justice and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR).

Students return to classes Aug. 19. With three weeks left before the start of the 2021-22 school year, Wood County Schools officials have been inundated with questions concerning whether students and teachers will be required to use masks. 

“The Board gave me authority in the Spring to make decisions related to school re-entry due to the ever-changing directives we were receiving at the time,” Hosaflook said. “As of right now, no law/executive order in the state of West Virginia is requiring students, employees, visitors, etc. to wear masks when on school property or at school events. Therefore, we will not require any student/employee/stakeholder to wear a mask in Wood County Schools or our property unless a law/executive order or mandate is issued requiring our adherence.”   

An executive order from Gov. Justice which required masks in schools and indoor businesses expired June 20. At that time some Wood County Schools summer programs already were in session and required masks for unvaccinated students, teachers and staff. The mask requirement ended June 21, though some students and staff continued to wear masks. 

Hosaflook said mask wearing will still be an option and encouraged for all individuals especially those who are not vaccinated or have compromised immune systems. 

“Wearing a mask will be recommended, not required, for all individuals but will ultimately be the choice of each individual or their parents.” he said. 

Other measures taken to slow and stop the spread of coronavirus will continue throughout the coming school year: Frequent cleaning of surfaces and classrooms, providing hand sanitizer and hand washing opportunities, the use of individual water bottles and water stations rather than shared drinking fountains, use of cohort groups to minimize exposure among students and teachers, and urging those who feel ill to stay home and get tested if they show coronavirus symptoms. 

Wood County Schools also would encourage all adults and students to get vaccinated. The vaccine is available for anyone age 12 and up. 

For updates, visit www.woodcountyschoolswv.com, download the Wood County Schools app, and visit Wood County Schools social media pages on Facebook and Twitter.