MORRISTOWN, Tenn. (WVLT) -- A Morristown mom says the school system isn't letting her protect her children from the H1N1 virus.

She sent them to school with masks on Monday, but picked them up at lunchtime and they haven't gone back.

Members of the Hamblen County Board of Education say they don't want children to wear them without a reason.

"We had decided that when the first case broke out in Tennessee-- or probable case-- that we would have them wearing masks," mom Meredith Witt explained.

Call it what you want, Witt says she doesn't want her 5th and 3rd graders to bring home the virus to the baby.

So, on Monday Pandora and Damion went to school donned in masks their mom says is recommended by the CDC.

"We had also decided that we were going to pick them up at lunchtime because it makes no point to wear the masks if they're going to sit there at lunchtime, right beside kids," Witt continued.

When she got to Fairview-Marguerite Elementary School, Witt says the school principal met her at the door.

"And she said you need to sign them out and don't bring them back until you talk to [the Board of Education] because they want to set up a meeting with you," Witt recalled.

Dr. Dale Lynch, Director of Schools, says unless specified by a medical doctor, wearing masks could be disruptive and keeping children out of school is not an option.

"We have had students who have worn masks here within our school system in the past who have immune system deficiencies," Lynch told WVLT.

Lynch went on to say that there are rules about students missing school. "We also have excused absences and unexcused absences in that attendance policy. They need to see a medical doctor. They need to see a medical health care provider that can provide them, and provide us, with what they need to do to keep their children safe," Lynch said.

"To me, that's saying that you don't have the right to protect your children," Witt told Volunteer TV.

So, on a Tuesday morning Pandora and Damion sat at home watching TV instead of being in class.

"These children need to be in school because they're healthy," Dr. Lynch said, adding that the masks should be left behind unless prescribed by a doctor.