While the needle hasn’t moved on a mask mandate — USD 257 still recommends face masks, but isn’t requiring them — the school board approved a new COVID-19 testing policy and sought to reassure a group of concerned parents about the safety protocols in place.
For the second time in two weeks, emotions ran high as board members met with about 20 parents. Most spoke in favor of requiring face masks and shared concerns about the number of students and staff already required to quarantine just four days into the school year.
As of Friday, which was the third day of the school year, the district had 34 students and one staff member in quarantine, with 10 positive cases. Most of those quarantines started before the school year began, administrators said.
Also for the second time in two weeks, the board voted down a proposal to change its mask policy. At the last meeting, a measure to not require masking failed, 3-3. This time, a motion to require masks also failed, 5-2.
Few districts across the state — just 11 — have implemented a mask mandate in response to the rapidly growing number of cases due to the arrival of the delta variant.
Also complicating the delivery of education during the pandemic is that state legislators have banned remote learning by individual districts. Students must now have a medical reason for remote learning, and be approved for a special program.
SIX WOMEN spoke in favor of a mask mandate; another was opposed.
Paige Olson said her children had recently transferred to USD 257 because she believed the district’s policies were better than others, but she was reconsidering her decision.
She encouraged the district to consider a mask mandate for just elementary school children because they are unable to receive a vaccine. The vaccine is available only for those 12 and older.
“People are saying ‘it’s my choice to be vaccinated,’ but my kids don’t have that choice and they should have the opportunity to be as safe as possible,” she said. Olson’s children are 5, 7, and 8.
Sofie Alexander, who is running for a seat on the school board, cited statistics from the CDC and other health sources to recommend masks.
“This board has an obligation to use every tool available to protect the health and safety of students, staff, faculty and the community that we serve. A universal mask policy is one such tool,” she said.
Parent Jessica McGinnis said she was surprised to learn her six-year-old’s class already has six students in quarantine because they had been exposed to the virus. McGinnis also said she was surprised at the total number of those infected or in quarantine so early in the school year.
Parent Christine Tholen thanked the board for not requiring masks and cited a study based in Florida that alleges face masks are harmful to children and merely create an illusion of safety.
“Your kids are going to be fine,” going maskless, she said.
The American Academy of Pediatrics as well as the Centers for Disease and Control however, rebut that argument and recommend face masks for children over the age of 2 for protection against the spread of COVID-19.
