Bridgeport school districts could keep mask mandate in place for remainder of school year

Masks could soon be optional at schools following Gov. Ned Lamont's recommendation that the state's education and public health commissioners end the statewide school mask mandate on Feb. 28, but some school districts like Bridgeport say masks may stay in place for the remainder of the school year.

Gov. Lamont made the announcement Monday.

The Trumbull superintendent says the district will follow whatever the state does, so if there's no statewide mask mandate—then masks for students and staff will be optional.

The Bridgeport superintendent, however, told News 12 masks will likely stay through the rest of the school year.

In Norwalk, a group of parents held a 'Mask Choice for Norwalk' meeting Monday night. Parents say they want to convince the Board of Education to make masks optional.

The state Department of Education and Department of Public Health have the authority to bring back the mandate—should there be another spike in COVID-19 cases.

Lawmakers are expected to debate state officials' ability to reinforce mask mandates this week—along with several other pandemic executive orders.