Oklahoma Board Of Education Votes To ‘Implore’ School Districts To Require Masks

The Oklahoma Board of Education is encouraging school districts in Oklahoma to require students and staff to wear masks, after a unanimous vote to pass a resolution during a board meeting Thursday. 

There are no new requirements, only encouragement. 

One board member characterized Thursday’s vote as putting an "exclamation mark" on the recommendations the board voted on over the summer. 

Before Thursday’s vote, three doctors shared data and their professional thoughts on masks, emphasizing that they do make a difference.  

Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy CEO Joe Dorman spoke too. Dorman said he believes mask policies at school districts across the state are haphazard and he believes more needs to be done.  

“We've been told that 20% of the school districts in the state do not have a mask policy. We would like to see that change,” Dorman said. 

State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister on Thursday reiterated her support for a school statewide mask requirement. 

The resolution passed by the board "implores Oklahoma school boards and district superintendents to require students and staff to wear face masks on public school campuses and within district vehicles, and especially when in classrooms or other large gatherings." 

"I do wonder the purpose of the vote on this, and of a resolution. It seems performative when it is just a saying, we want school districts to, or strongly encourage them to adhere to recommendations that were made. So I struggle with the purpose of the resolution, versus just this conversation that's taking place right now. Because it doesn't require any action,” Board member Carlisha Williams Bradley said ahead of the vote.  

Board member Estela Hernandez responded, saying a mandate would be difficult to enforce.  

"How are we going to force individuals, or districts, to make sure that they mask up - other than 'we're going to challenge your accreditation if you don't?' I think that's troubling,” Hernandez said.  

The original recommendation the board made in July expired at the end of September. This new resolution has no deadline.