Yancey Schools Remain with Optional Masks

The Yancey County Board of Education voted Monday night to keep masks optional.

Board Chair Edwin Fortner said that it wasn’t an easy decision board but they felt like it was the right decision to allow people to have a choice.

School health officials told board members a mask mandate was the easiest way to reduce quarantines.

According to Yancey County Schools, 182 people — staff and students combined — have tested positive since Aug. 16. Stats show 39 active COVID-19 cases as of Sept. 20, which prompted 305 quarantines.

Board member Jeanne Tyner motioned to make masks mandatory, but the motion did not receive a second.

Superintendent Kathy Amos said school officials are looking into other ways to cut down on the number of quarantines, including the possibility of rapid daily testing for students who have been exposed.

By state law, school boards must revisit the mask policy at least once a month. Yancey County’s next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 18.