Youngstown City Schools, the Mahoning Valley’s largest public district, will be mandating students and staff to wear face masks inside school buildings.

They also will be required to wear masks on buses during the upcoming school year, said Denise Dick, district director of communications and public relations.

Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday encouraged Ohio K-12 schools across the state to require masks in their facilities and to increase vaccinations.

“Ohioans are united in wishing all our children will have a school year … to stay in class with in-person learning without interruption,” he said. “That goal is now clearly at risk.”

Children under 12 are not eligible for the vaccine.

The Liberty Local School District will require its students to wear face masks this school year while they are in buildings and common areas, Superintendent Andrew Tommelleo said. Vaccinated people are not required to wear masks outside of the buildings.

“We are following the recommendation of our local health department,” Tommelleo said. “When the health departments of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties all released a unified statement encouraging the wearing of face masks, it is hard to go outside of that direction.”

Tommelleo emphasized the district will do whatever is necessary to keep schools open and in person through the school year.

In addition to the recommendation from the local heath districts, Tommelleo noted teachers, board members, employees, as well as some district parents, were surveyed about returning to school with mandated or nonmandated mask policies.

“The vast majority of those surveyed want a mask requirement,” he noted. “Not everyone will be pleased, but it is the only way to ensure school may remain open through the entire school year.”

The district will supply masks for students who need one.

Canfield Local Schools, for now, will not be requiring students to wear masks in its buildings, district officials announced Wednesday.

“This may change at any time based on information being released by the state,” according to the district website.

Lowellville Local Schools will return to in-person instruction Monday. The district is strongly encouraging, but not requiring, students to wear face masks. Parents and individuals will have the option to have their children wear face masks while in school or participating in school activities.

Desk and table sneeze guards will be available for students and staff upon request, including in the school cafeteria.

Individuals will be required to maintain physical distancing of at least three feet while in Lowellville’s school buildings.

Increased handwashing will continue to be emphasized throughout the school day. Hand sanitizers will continue to be placed in classrooms and throughout the buildings. Students will be encouraged to sanitize their hands throughout the day.

Struthers Local Schools also are strongly recommending, but not requiring, masks be worn in its district buildings.

Boardman schools are strongly encouraging students and adults within its school buildings to wear masks but is leaving the decision to individuals.

“Our goal is to keep kid safe and to maintain in-person school through the entire school year,” spokeswoman Amy Radinovic said. “We have been reviewing what has been happening in the community over the last several weeks.”

In the meantime, the district has more outdoor classrooms and is putting air purifiers in every classroom.