The Bessemer School Board during its meeting mid week voted unanimously to end the mask mandate at the elementary school. According to the Daily Globe, it is the first time in nearly two years that the students are able to be in a the classroom and move around the building without wearing a mask. Elementary principal Mark Switzer, Superintendent Dan Niemi and other staff discussed the idea and felt it was an appropriate time to make the change. Both in the grade school and the high school, masks are now optional on and in school property. Students must still wear a mask to ride the bus, as buses are governed by federal transportation laws.