GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Students at a Gaston County charter school started their new school year off wearing face masks to class after seven staff members tested positive for COVID-19.
The school board at Piedmont Community Charter had originally decided to make face masks optional for the 1,900 students that attend the school.
But last week, while teachers and staff prepared to welcome students back into the classroom, several workers contracted the virus, which prompted the board to reverse its decision and require masks for one month.
>> In the video at the top of this page, Channel 9 reporter Ken Lemon shares the strong message from one frustrated school leader and the opposition some parents have to the mandate.
(WATCH: “It’s about the science”: Parents push for Iredell-Statesville Schools to mandate masks)
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