Effective March 12, the Ripon Unified School District is lifting the COVID-19 mask mandate for all students.

They'll still have the option to mask up.

The actual first day from the State of California lifting the mandatory mask requirement is after 11:59 p.m. — or rather, right before midnight — on March 11, according to RUSD Superintendent Zigg Robeson at the special session held Tuesday in the Ripon High library.

The first day of instruction following lifting of the mask mandate is Monday, March 14.

"Students will have a choice," Robeson said.

Board Vice President Chad Husky is hoping that district employees will have hsimilar type options on the masking options with emergency orders still being in effect.

Trustee Vince Hobbs added: "COVID isn't going away anytime soon."

He believes that smaller school districts such as RUSD have been "bullied" on Gov. Newsom's enforcement of the state mandates.

"In April, I'd like to see us put together a committee to (avoid) what was done and what can be done," Hobbs said.

He believes that new mandates could soon be coming.

Trustee Caroline Hutto still believes in many of the safety protocols, in particular, when it comes to masking up.

"We're protecting our staff and administrators —10 days will not make a difference," she said.