Sullivan, Washington County Schools update mask policies during board meetings Tuesday night

Washington County, Tennessee and Sullivan County Schools have become the latest districts in the region to update their mask policy for students.

Starting Wednesday, K-5 graders in Washington County can remove their mask while seated at their desk, but would need to keep it on when moving around the school buildings or when outside where social distancing cannot be maintained. Employees will be required to continue wearing face coverings, but that will be optional during the summer session for both employees and students. That particular policy will be reviewed again by the board during its July meeting.

It was a number of recommendations made by Superintendent Jerry Boyd and approved by the county’s school board. Also approved by the board was to end virtual Wednesdays for high schools, with the last remote Wednesday being today.

Meanwhile in Sullivan County, masking is now optional for all students and teachers. The county board of education voted 5-1 last night to cut the mask requirement policy and went against a recommendation made by Director of Schools Dr. David Cox to keep the mask mandate in effect through the remainder of the school year.

Other pandemic protocols previously enacted by the school board were also removed during their vote Tuesday night.