After reccomendation from our local health departments making it clear that students should be masked this school year, superintendents are now faced with the decision.

Some of them are saying it's frustrating because it's causing division within their schools.


"We don't have to make this decision right now, we continue to listen to all of our parents, both those that are on the side of masks verses those that are not on the side of masks," said Craig Hockeberry, Superintendent of Poland Local Schools. "We've been listening and working with our board of education and all of education and all of our professionals as well," he said.

Craig says things were easier last year when the decision to wear masks or not was made for them. 


Several other superintendents tell 21 News they're taking the health departments' reccomendation into consideration but for now, will stick with their original plans of not requiring masks.

Health officials say we could be looking at a similar and detrimental situation to last year, if students begin to get sick.


"It is up to them, that's important you know what I mean, they have the choice to you know, make their own decisions but with decisions you know, becomes consequences," said Erin Bishop, Youngstown City Health District Health Commissioner. "I think about if the kids, you know, are unmasked and they're not vaccinated then they'll have to quarantine and that was hard last year," she said.


Other health officials say they understand the situation is frustrating but superintendents can make an informed decision with research.


"You can still look at the data and the science provided by your local health departments provided by the ohio department of health provided by the cdc," said Ryan Tekac, Mahoning County Health Commissioner. "And then make those decisions based off the data that's provided. We'll continue to always work with our superintendents," he said.


Superintendents say they'll continue to meet with health departments weekly and will alter their plans for the school year if necessary.