The Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Board of Education Tuesday voted to make the wearing of masks optional for students and staff.

The vote on the matter was 5-3. The board also voted against opting in to joining the state’s on-site COVID-19 testing program.

Tuesday’s decision came as students of the Roanoke Rapids High School Early College began their first day of classes today.

Board members agreed at a July 27 meeting to wait until Tuesday’s work session to make a decision and continue to seek guidance from health officials on the state and local level.

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Vice Chair Valencia Davis, one of the members who voted against making masks optional, said it was her opinion that masks should be worn.

For board member Ed Liverman, the choice was to make masks optional. “Let them choose. If the governor feels so strongly about wearing a mask, let the parents choose what is best for their kids.”

The policy will be reviewed monthly since the board receives monthly updates on COVID-19. 

Since August of last year the school system has had 66 total staff members test positive for the virus and 72 students test positive.