After days of deliberation, the Gloucester County School Board voted during a special meeting Sunday afternoon to allow parents to elect not to have their children wear a mask while indoors at school by a vote of 6-1. The rule went into effect Monday.

This decision was made in response to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order Number Two, stating that parents have the ability to choose whether their children wear a mask to school, which also went into effect Monday.

Though masks are optional for students who attend Gloucester County Public Schools, they are still strongly recommended by the school system for all students age two years and older while indoors. The optional masking decision also came with several stipulations.

In an all-call message to parents Sunday night, Dr. Walter R. Clemons, GCPS Division Superintendent, stated the following:

“1. Masks are required at all times on all school division buses and vehicles, for all students. As a result, please ensure that y...