HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. —  The Hillsborough County Public Schools will require students to wear face masks for the coming school year, but parents are given the choice to opt their child out, stated officials.

Superintendent Addison Davis stated in a press release on Saturday that the face masks are a “mitigation measure” for the start of the school year.

“While the outcome may be the same whether we make face coverings optional or required with an opt-out, we believe this decision continues to illustrate that Hillsborough County Public Schools takes public safety seriously. We want to ensure we are doing all we can to help community-wide efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” he stated.

The requirement is from Aug. 10 through Sept. 3.

Parents who wish to opt-out of this can fill out a HCPS Mask Opt Out Form that will be emailed to them, stated Davis.

“The only parents who should fill out the form are those who do not want their child to wear a mask. Parents must complete a form for each child,” he instructed.

Davis stated that due to this new announcement, the school district is canceling the Special Called Board Meeting previously scheduled on Monday.