SARASOTA COUNTY – The Sarasota County School District was expecting some protests in regards to the mask mandate that went into effect Monday. However, only a few schools across the county saw these protests including Laurel Nokomis School.
“For the most part today school was as usual, we can’t appreciate our students enough they were very compliant with our mask policy that was instituted by the school board and it shows that they really care and they’re going to try to make a dent in this delta virus that we are having,” said Sarasota County School District PIO, Craig Maniglia.
A small group of those opposing the mask mandate did show up at Laurel Nokomis School.
“They’re protesting in small groups and very politely, and there’s no problem with that, that’s what makes this country great,” said Maniglia.
If a student shows up to school without a mask, Maniglia says one will be offered.
However, not wearing a mask can be treated similar to a dress code violation.
“It’s not a dress code violation but that’s how we are looking at it, and we’ll try to reason with them to wear a mask and if they refuse to wear the mask we then bring them down to an ISS room and let them continue to work there request if their parent or if they can drive, that they go home,” said Maniglia.
Maniglia says classrooms are still being deep cleaned in the evenings, and social distancing is also being enforced
“So just about everything that we had in place last year, is in place this year so we’re doing the best we can,” said Maniglia.
“All these things together with the masks, and the cleaning and the and all the other safety precautions that are in place hopefully will make a difference because in the end I think that’s what everybody wants.”
School leaders say the requirement will be removed if the counties positivity rate drops below 8 percent for three days.
For more information, you can visit The Sarasota County Schools’ website here.
