Moore County Board of Education votes to continue mask mandate

On Wednesday, school leaders in Moore County decided to keep the district's mask mandate in place.

The school board decided to continue with the mandate by a 4-3 vote and motioned to continue the requirement of face coverings until they revisit the policy in October.

Prior to the cancellation, the meeting was moved to the district's central office, where there was a heightened police presence. All attendees would have been required to pass through metal detectors as well based on recommendations from local law enforcement.

More than 100 parents and children still held an anti-mask rally outside the central office before the meeting was canceled.

Those same heightened security measures were in place at Wednesday's meeting. On Wednesday morning, WRAL News spoke with a board member who said he expected the mandate to stay in place.

Lawmakers say it’s meant to prevent school districts from leaving mask policies in place when they’re no longer needed, but it’s resulted in heated political battles at school board meetings, with angry, sometimes violent protests.