SEDGWICK COUNTY — A mask mandate will continue in the state's largest school district.&nbsp;

By a vote of 4-3, the USD 259-Wichita Public School district board voted Monday night against a proposal to immediately remove the district's mask mandate and make masks optional.

During the January 11 meeting, board president Stan Reeser suspended the meeting after several new board members and others in attendance refused to follow the district’s mask requirement.

In August, the board unanimously approved a mask mandate for all district buildings. It went into effect August 30.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644320037112.png" alt="A large crowd at Monday's USD 259 board meeting -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>A large crowd at Monday's USD 259 board meeting -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A mask mandate will continue in the state's largest school district.&nbsp;By a vote of 4-3, the USD 259-Wichita Public School district board voted Monday night against a proposal to immediately remove the district's mask mandate and make masks optional.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644319483078.png" alt="USD 259 Superintendent Alicia Thompson during Monday's board meeting" />
 <figcaption>USD 259 Superintendent Alicia Thompson during Monday's board meeting</figcaption>
 </figure>During the January 11 meeting, board president Stan Reeser suspended the meeting after several new board members and others in attendance refused to follow the district’s mask requirement.In August, the board unanimously approved a mask mandate for all district buildings. It went into effect August 30.

Mask mandate will continue in state's largest school district