Craig County School Board Approves Religious, Medical Exemption Forms for Mask Mandates
Virginia | August 19, 2021
The Craig County School Board decided Tuesday to provide medical mask mandate exemption forms that don’t require a physician’s signature and religious exemption forms, although the medical exemption form requires an explanation.
“I do not think the physician should have to sign off, no physician is going to sign off on any of these forms,” Vice Chair Gina Smith said. “I think as parents we are responsible for our kids and it should be enough just to have a diagnosis or a medical reason that your child doesn’t need to wear a mask.”
During recent school board meetings, public commenters have spoken out against a mask mandate in the schools, with some calling for the board to resist despite the risk of being defunded or face legal repercussions. On August 9, the board decided to not mandate masks despite instructions from Governor Ralph Northam. A day later, Board Chair Susan Crenshaw resigned over the decision.
“Yesterday’s four-one decision to not follow the mask mandates and social distancing mitigation standards as required by chapter 456 of the Acts of Assembly was my breaking point. I took an oath to uphold the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia,” she said, saying the decision was politically motivated. “Ethically, I cannot support this position nor the direction this board seems to be taking.”
On August 12, Northam issued his own mandate for masks in schools… (Excerpts from the Virginia Star)