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Summerland vote to lift mask mandate fails

A motion to remove a mask mandate for Summerland students in preschool through third grade failed during Monday's board of education meeting.

The vote ended in a 3-3 tie.

A handful of parents and patrons addressed the policy during public participation, and again, when the board addressed the agenda item.

District patron, Seth Anson, of Ewing, said currently, masks are only a recommendation from the local health department.

"It should be the parents choice to take the masks off our kids," he said.

Superintendent Dale Martin said while NCDHD recommends wearing masks, they have advised school districts to continue with mask policies.

"You're mandating it? It's a recommendation. Shouldn't it be a parent's choice?" Anson said.

Martin said originally, when the health dial was in the green range, masks were worn at a student's discretion.

In late September, the board approved a district-wide mask policy.

Board member Marty Kerkman said he doesn't like wearing a mask, but health department recommendations serve as a guideline.

Candice Hoke agreed with Kerkman. There are consequences to not wearing masks while school is in session, including the possibility of an entire classroom having to quarantine if not everyone is wearing the covering.

"That makes it really hard to know what to do," she said. "I know what I want to do, but is that what's best for kids?"

Anson said a neighboring school district did away with the mandate.

"We're not Chambers," board president Ed Nordby said.

He explained the district needs to do what is best to keep kids and staff in the classroom.

Anson responded that wearing a mask is "toxic."

"If the teachers are scared, the teachers can wear a mask. Our kids aren't getting sick. If it is, it's probably the flu. Take the mask off our kids. Let the parents decide," he said.

According to Anson, students attend school activities and do not wear masks.

"After school, they're all over without a mask on. You force them to wear it all day long. That's why. It's wrong. Very wrong. There's going to be consequences our kids will have to pay with," he said.

As the board discussed the agenda item, Schwager made a motion to allow PK through third grade students to not wear masks.

The motion failed, 3-3.

 

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