PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla — School bells are getting ready to ring for the new school year, but many districts are still working to finalize their COVID protocols.

The Pinellas County School Board held a workshop on the topic Monday afternoon, and decided that masks will remain optional in the county’s schools. Parents won't have to fill out any forms.

Manatee County schools made a similar decision Monday.

The superintendent said he doesn't want teachers and principals to be turned in to the "mask police," but the issue continues to be divisive.

The Deyo's brought their three children out to demonstrate before the school board workshop. They were hoping the board would require masks, and said they don't feel comfortable sending their children back to school in person with masks being optional.

"I don't want them going to school feeling as though their health and wellbeing is in danger,” said parent Ann Marie Deyo. “They should be kids, they should learn and not worry about this stuff."

Others showed up pushing for choice.

Sweet Gonzalez says parents should have the final say whether their child wears a mask or not.

"We do have our Bill of Rights, we do have these freedoms, and you have the freedom to send your kid in three masks to school, and he has the right to not get bullied by anybody and made fun of, either," Gonzalez said.

District officials say they will "strongly recommend" students and teachers mask up but it won't be required. That decision leaves some parents still weighing the pros and cons.

"My husband and I have been talking a lot about it,” said parent Hajar Kadivar. “Whether we want to wait a little bit, whether we want to keep them home for a couple days and see how the situation is."

Other large school districts in Florida — including Hillsborough County — are ordering students to wear masks. But they're allowing parents to fill out a form to "opt out."

Pinellas County Schools will go back to reporting daily COVID-19 cases in schools starting Tuesday.