Botetourt County Schools will remain masked until State Supreme Court Rules on EO2

Botetourt County School Board voted this morning to keep masks on in the school division at a special meeting at 7 AM. The meeting was called on Friday to go over new guidelines from the VDH and Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s Executive order 2 was challenged in court by Portsmouth School Division as to it’s legality.

The challenge is in regards to SB1303 passed last March by the Virginia General Assembly maintains a masking mandate. The challenge will determine how the Executive Order holds up legally by the Virginia Supreme Court. After closed session with legal counsel, the board came back to the public meeting.

Here are today’s specifics in voting

All five board members voted to keep current masking policy in place till the Virginia Supreme Court rules. SB member Matt East noted it maybe soon as this week but there is no way of knowing this.

It was noted part of the VDH guidelines are for vaccinations as a mitigation strategy (and were backed by Governor Youngkin is his speech last Thursday at Carilion.) Currently in Botetourt only 17% of children 5-11 are vaccinated while 42% are vaccinated ages 12-18 stated SB member Dana McCaleb. The board voted to allow until March 7. That would be if there is no Supreme Court Ruling. Any one choosing vaccination, stressing it is not a mandate, but to allow for the 2 shot process. The vote was 4-1 with East voting no.

A high transmission rate continues in the schools due to the Omicron Variant, McCaleb stated.

School Board member Jenny Wilson noted that the Governor himself asked that legal process be carried out.

The board also voted to explore the option of “Test to Stay” if a student is exposed to Covid-19. Allowing that could keep more students in the classroom.. Member Tim Davidic said the suggestion came from a comment they received. Currently the Division doesn’t have the resources.

They voted 5-0 to explore the possibility. Meeting adjourned.

–Cathy Benson