The Cumberland County Board of Education announced in their meeting last night virtual learning and the mask mandate for students and staff will expire at 10 a.m. today (Friday, May 28, 2021). That is the same time pupils will dismiss for this current school year heading into summer break.

Board Chairman Jim Inman said the re-opening plan initiated back in August of 2020 included the mask mandate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s going to run out when the last day of school is over (Friday, May 28, 2021 at 10 a.m.). We are not going to go back to such a plan unless there is a significant spike in COVID cases AND the governor issues another state of emergency,” said Inman.

The announcement came to the delight of several parents who attended the meeting to speak to the board wanting the mandate done away with.

As of yesterday, the Tennessee Department of Health reported 50 active cases (a rise of 2 from the day before) in Cumberland County of the coronavirus. Officials also noted 5 new deaths in the county in yesterday’s summary bringing the death toll up to 138.

On a related note, a lawsuit filed earlier this month by a couple of parents against the Cumberland County School System regarding the mask mandate is set to be heard by a judge in a Putnam County courtroom on June 7 at 1 p.m. central.