A member of the Cobb County School Board has announced on Facebook that the district will require students to wear masks if they return to the classroom next month — an apparent change to the district’s earlier announcement that masks would be “strongly recommended” but not required.

Cobb County School Board member Charisse Davis revealed the news late Tuesday in a post on her Facebook page. She said the district will require students and staff to wear masks or face coverings when the 2020-21 school year begins Aug. 17.

The Cobb school district initially said it would strongly recommend, but not require, masks or face coverings for the school year.

When asked to corroborate the Facebook post, Cobb County School District spokeswoman Nan Kiel said information about the mask requirement was provided to the school board, but “not meant to be released publicly at this time.”

“In an effort to be as accurate as possible, we will continue to provide details for the 2020-2021 school year when those details are finalized,” Kiel said. “Federal and local public health guidance has recently been updated and the District continues to adapt with that guidance.”

Cobb County parents were earlier asked to choose in-person or virtual class for their children before school resumes in August.

Marietta City Schools Superintendent Dr. Grant Rivera said his system will require masks for students and staff while they are inside buildings or on school buses.

Return to AJC.com for updates.

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