Lifting of Masking Mandate an ‘Overreach’ into Local Authority, More State Guidance Necessary
February 18, 2022
February 18, 2022
VEA President James J. Fedderman made the following statement today regarding the lifting of masking mandates in Virginia’s public schools:
The Virginia General Assembly and Governor Youngkin have decided to allow children to attend public school without masks, effective March 1. This overreach into the authority of local school divisions, without guidance or regulatory assistance from the state, has created widespread confusion about how to implement these new requirements. VEA is calling on the Virginia Department of Education to provide local school divisions guidance on how best to transition from nearly two straight years of masking to a mask-optional environment in the safest possible manner.
VEA continues to strongly recommend educators wear masks while in the classroom for the health and safety of our children and communities.
Teacher shortages are a serious issue across the country. Here in Virginia, there are currently over 3,648 unfilled teaching positions. (FY23)
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