Mid-Ohio Valley school districts react to proposed legislation ending mask mandates |

PARKERSBURG — The proposed bill in the West Virginia House of Delegates to prohibit mask and testing mandates in public schools has prompted reaction from school districts in the Mid-Ohio Valley.

The proposed bill would prohibit public schools appointed and elected school officials from implementing mask and testing mandates.

“I think it’s a bad idea,” said Richard Duncan, superintendent of Roane County Schools. “Anything that’s going to limit that freedom is a problem for me.”

The freedom Duncan talks about is his school district’s ability to implement mask mandates on its own.

“Here in Roane County we have taken a proactive approach and our current mandate only becomes effective when we reach a threshold of students in quarantine or tested positive,” Duncan said.

“Face coverings have been optional at Doddridge County Schools since October. We consulted with our local Health Department and have been in contact with our Health Department regarding an overall safety plan at our schools,” said Doddridge County Schools Superintendent Adam Cheeseman. “We carefully monitor the reason for student absences to determine if any changes to our plan are necessary.”

Ritchie County Schools Superintendent Jim Brown said the district had adopted a mask mandate for almost the entire year, but had two short periods where the mandate was not in effect.

Brown said when they stopped the mandates, the rate of infections rose, forcing the re-implementation of the mandates.

Calhoun County School Superintendent Kelli Whytsell said she wanted to read the entire proposal before commenting.

Wood County Schools Superintendent Will Hosaflook and Communications Coordinator Micheal Erb declined to comment on the matter. John Bryan, the attorney for the parents in Wood County who brought a lawsuit against the school district in challenging the mandates, declined comment, saying he had not read the legislation.

Larry Launstein Jr. can be reached at [email protected]