‘It seems blatantly illegal’: Southwest Ohio school district defies state rules, pulls back mask requirements Courtney Francisco The Blanchester Public Schools board of education voted Monday night to relax its masking rules, directly contradicting the Ohio Department of Health’s masking requirements for educational settings. “Why this? Why now?” said OEA president Scott DiMauro on Tuesday. “Why not continue to follow the state and the CDC and the medical community’s clear guidance?” Currently, the state of Ohio requires students to wear masks in and outside during school functions. Exemptions can be granted for health or religious reasons, eating and drinking, or participating in sports, among other reasons.