NEW HANOVER COUNTY — A motion to transition New Hanover County public schools to an optional mask policy failed Tuesday night in a 5-2 vote.
There was an outcry from the audience when the board of education voted down the motion, which Pete Wildeboer called a motion to “restore freedom.” The meeting was recessed as deputies escorted upset attendees outside.
State law requires the board to revisit its mask policy every month and take action, either retaining the current procedure or approving a modification.
Wildeboer’s motion was seconded by Nelson Beaulieu, who said earlier in the meeting, “Everybody here knows how I’m gonna vote.” But the two members received no further support.
Board member Stefanie Adams continued to advocate for a mask requirement, citing the statewide quarantine guidance. Following exposure to Covid-19, students who were appropriately masked can continue going to school unless they become symptomatic. She said New Hanover County is reporting higher cases but lower quarantine numbers compared to Pender County Schools, which has an optional masking policy.
“Regardless if you think that they’re 100% effective or not, they are cutting down on our quarantines, and I want to see our kids in our classrooms with their teachers,” Adams said.
Vice Chair Stephanie Walker said she wanted to avoid closing schools as Brunswick County did for two days last month because so many students and staff members were out during the optional masking.
Beaulieu indicated he’d prefer his child quarantining temporarily over wearing a mask for more than two years of their education.
“I could care less about what other counties are doing,” he said.
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