Richland School District To Close Wednesday

(Richland, WA) -- During a special meeting of the Richland School Board, board members voted 3-2 to make the wearing of face coverings in district schools and facilities optional.

All RSD schools and facilities are in an emergency closure for Wednesday, Feb. 16 to plan a path forward. No student transportation will be provided, including to Delta High School or Tri-Tech Skills Center.

A divided Richland School Board voted to end the mask mandate for students and staff and, by a vote of 3-2, institute a "mask choice" policy. The vote would effectively make masks optional for those attending and working in the school district. Members Rick Jansons and Jill Oldson provided the two no votes. Members Semi Bird, Amanda Byrd, and Kari Williams voted in favor of making masks optional.