(GDN) – The Wayne County Board of Education unanimously approved keeping masks optional in Wayne County Public Schools. On Monday, April 4, 2022, Executive Director Ken Derksen presented an informal COVID-19 update. Derksen expressed that North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services guidance for schools has not changed since March.

Derksen informed members that community metrics remain low and as a result school metrics remain low. Currently, a total of 15 COVID positive cases were recorded. Derksen says the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services also recommends that masks still remain optional in schools.