DANVILLE, Va. – Danville’s School Board is set to vote Thursday night on whether students will still be required to wear masks in the classroom.

The reconsideration follows Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s directive that the decision on mask-wearing be left to parents. His executive order has already been challenged in the courts, with seven school systems filing suit Monday, arguing that local school districts – not the state – have the final say in the matter.

The Halifax County School Board spent more than five hours Monday struggling to decide the question. After a series of failed 4-4 votes by board members who argued over whether Youngkin’s order carries the force of law, the board finally voted 5-3 to approve a motion to allow parental choice on student mask use starting Feb. 3.

Pittsylvania County lifted the mask mandate for students on Monday. Staff members are still required to wear masks on campus.

Franklin County had a mixed vote and will keep the mask requirement, for now. Campbell County voted to let parents decide whether their children will wear masks in the classroom.