(STURGIS) – Sturgis Public Schools are asking federal representatives for help in making mask wearing on school buses a recommendation and not mandatory.

During Monday's Board of Education study session, Sturgis Superintendent Dr. Art Ebert informed the Board that he and Assistant Superintendent Nicole Gittinger had crafted a letter which they were going to send to U.S. Congressman Fred Upton, along with U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow.

The letter says masks are not required on school grounds or in school buildings. Ebert says by only recommending masks at schools, the local Health Department has empowered families and communities.

Ebert says the letter is asking for Federal legislators to provide these same freedoms on school buses. ...... {LISTEN}.

Students must apply and meet criteria such as residency requirements and distance from school to be able to ride the bus. Public transportation can be transient and open to the public.

The letter asks the lawmakers to remove the designation of school buses as public transportation before school begins in two weeks.