North Kingstown School Committee votes to remove mask mandate

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI (WLNE) –

School committee members in North Kingstown tonight revealed a new masking policy Tuesday night, un-doing an initial mask mandate set on August 24th.

“All are in agreement that it is time to go to an optional recommendation for masking in schools,” announced Dr. Phil Auger, while reminding parents & students masks and distance learning may still be recommended in outbreak situations.

Several parents, including Mary Lopresti, spoke in support of keeping the masks in schools. “Simply removing a face covering does not remove the health risks inherent with COVID-19.”

Yet others say it should be up to parents, not the committee, to make the decision on wearing a mask or not. “We simply want a choice to decide what’s best for our own kids,” says Megan Riley, North Kingstown resident.

“I come home every day and beg my Mom and Dad to homeschool me, and how horrible these masks are,” says student Ilianna Arsenis.

The meeting also revealed a series of threats have been made to committee members over the mask mandate decision, threatening to harm members and encouraging them to “get body guards” to protect themselves.

The school committee also voted to allow single-use bathrooms in multiple areas throughout North Kingstown schools to accommodate transgender & non-binary students’ gender preferences. “It’s really a validation experience that they’re being accepted for who they are, as a way to offer inclusion,” says North Kingstown resident Melanie M.

The motion to remove masks in North Kingstown schools as of 5pm on March 4th passed 4-1. Federal mandates still dictate masks will be required on school buses until further notice.