McAlester Public Schools Requiring Masks With Option To Opt Out

McAlester Public Schools is now requiring masks for students, staff and visitors, unless they fill out an opt-out form.

“I can tell you that every decision is made by asking the question, ‘what is the best and safest thing for our staff and for our students,’” McAlester superintendent Randy Hughes said.

Current Oklahoma state law prevents school boards from requiring masks unless there is a state of emergency in place. The author of the law said it should be left up to parents whether their kids must wear a mask.

The district believes this new rule doesn’t violate the law, because it comes from the superintendent, not the school board.