LAGRANGE, Ky. — The Oldham County Board of Education made adjustments to their COVID-19 plan this week that has some parents turning heads.

For 4-year-old Cooper Reynolds, wearing a mask is not only an extra layer of protection but an accessory. But starting Nov. 29, Cooper may be the only one left wearing a mask in his classroom at Oldham County Preschool. That's because on Monday, the Oldham County Board of Education voted to make masks optional in all school buildings.

“It’s worrisome because he is not able to get the vaccine, he won't be five until may of next year so when we decide if or when he will get it, it's just a really scary thing,” Samantha Reynolds said.

Their neighbor, Dianna Sanneman and her daughter Jocelyn have the same fear. Jocelyn is a 2nd grader at LaGrange Elementary School. Sanneman’s biggest concern is if Jocelyn were to get sick since she has autism and is mostly non-verbal.

“With her having autism she's in a medically fragile state because she can't tell us what's going on or how she feels,” Sanneman said. “So she has been wearing a mask. However, she's in behavioral therapy and it took them two and a half months to get her to wear it the whole time at school.”

At many school board meetings, there are lots of parents who support the change to make them optional. In fact a survey Oldham County Schools sent out to parents asking if the universal mask policy should continue. 39% of parents agreed that masks should be required while nearly 60% of parents disagreed and chose to make masks optional.

“People that we love are just going to be jeopardized by him having to go to school and he doesn't mind wearing a mask at school do you? But it's scary knowing he might not be able to be protected,” Reynolds said.

Loved ones being jeopardized – it's something Sanneman knows first-hand. After her mother's battle with COVID-19 while still trying to protect her daughter from the virus.

“My fear was going to stay with my mom in the COVID room was bringing it home to Jocelyn so I would literally come home, spray the whole car down and then literally have to strip my clothes and throw them in the washer and go straight to the shower to be safe and not bring it home to my daughter,” Sanneman said. 

The Oldham County School district will continue the test to stay program for students and staff who have been considered a close contact. The mask optional policy for Oldham County School students grade 9-12 went into effect Nov. 11.

Face masks must continue to be worn on school buses by all students, bus drivers and monitors until further action by the U.S. Transportation Department or President Biden. Drivers and monitors are not required to wear face masks when no students are on the bus.