QUESTIONS ASKED... AND ANSWERED!
Check back regularly to see an updated list of community member's questions...
August 24, 2021
How Did You Vote on the Mask Mandate?
Without a doubt, the undisputed #1 goal is to keep ALL students IN SCHOOL, 5 days a week, ALL YEAR, without significant breaks due to closures and quarantines.
Also, given that we will be welcoming students back into our buildings who have not attended school in person since March of 2020, and we know that all of our students are eager to have an "as normal as possible" school year, I believe that it is imperative that the Board and the Administration work together to ensure that we do everything possible to ensure a strong start and a successful year!
Finally, having students in masks at school is not the end goal, and as I said in my comments, I am so looking forward to the day when the pandemic is behind us!!
So, an abbreviated version of my comments regarding why I voted YES on the mandate.
Also, given that we will be welcoming students back into our buildings who have not attended school in person since March of 2020, and we know that all of our students are eager to have an "as normal as possible" school year, I believe that it is imperative that the Board and the Administration work together to ensure that we do everything possible to ensure a strong start and a successful year!
Finally, having students in masks at school is not the end goal, and as I said in my comments, I am so looking forward to the day when the pandemic is behind us!!
So, an abbreviated version of my comments regarding why I voted YES on the mandate.
- Because Doctors, public health leaders, epidemiologists and infectious disease experts have recommended masking combined with other mitigation efforts to reduce the spread and keep kids safe.
- Because the ultimate goal (as stated above) is to keep all students in school, every day, all year, without disruption from breaks or quarantines. Given the rules surrounding quarantines (and unvaccinated students who are masked and three feet apart will not have to quarantine...see the rationale in the Board packet --https://www.wayzataschools.org/district/school-board )- having all students mask seems like the most prudent course of action.
- I acknowledge that wearing masks has serious downsides- and we have heard from many families about this. I did not take the vote lightly- AND, I remain hopeful that we will be able to adjust as transmission levels recede. However, after weighing all sides of this VERY imperfect situation, safety must take precedence, and although not perfect, masks are an important mitigation tool.
