Okla. State Board Of Education Votes Against Mask Mandates, Strongly Suggests Mask Use

The Oklahoma State Board of Education voted against making masks mandatory for students when they return to class in the fall.

With the number of positive COVID-19 cases rising, many Oklahoma educators said they thought several precautionary measures would be mandated in classrooms statewide but that was not the case.

The Oklahoma state board of education voted 4 to 3 yesterday against the "return to learn Oklahoma" plan that would require a mask in classrooms. They instead made it a strong suggestion.

The state school board suggests masks be mandated in 71 of the 77 Oklahoma counties but students will be allowed to take off the mask once they get to their classroom.

Teachers in high outbreak counties are suggested to wear a mask all day.

One teacher in Broken Arrow said she believes as long as everyone stays safe and informed, school should go back to normal.

"I'm really excited to go back to school this fall, work with them in person, and to be back socially with all my kids," Marla Warwick said.

The three board members who voted in favor of the requirement said they are disappointed in the decision and will continue to fight for a mandate.