Reaction divided as Columbia Board of Education renews COVID-19 mask mandate – Columbia Daily Tribune

After the Columbia Board of Education on Monday heard public commentfor and against continued use of COVID-19 masks in schools, it voted as expected, approving a continuation of the mask requirement by a unanimous vote.

With child vaccines scheduled to start, the mandate may end in January.

"Good news is coming," said Superintendent Brian Yearwood.

He hopes the district will receive guidance to remove masking requirements after elementary students have an opportunity to receive the vaccine, he said.

"We are in full swing to get our scholars vaccinated," Yearwood said.

Many expressed support and opposition to the decision.

Laurel Sommer, a family medical doctor, said high school and middle school students have had the ability to receive vaccines for many months and are still required to wear masks, as are teachers and other school personnel.

"They're spreading infections," Sommer said of the masks.

More: COVID-19 masks will no longer be required in most City of Columbia buildings

State Rep. Cheri Reisch, R- Hallsville, received enthusiastic applause from some for her comment.

"You all need to votetonight to let the parents decide what is best for their child," she said.

Mandy Hamlin said herdaughter struggles to breathe with a mask on.

"This is tantamount to abuse," she said.

Among supporters of continued masking were Rock Bridge High School sophomores Zay Yontz and Julia Kim.

"I believe it is important to continue masking," Kim said. "I generally feel safer knowing masks are required at school."

Masks haven't affected her mental or physical health, Yontz said.

"I fully support continuing the mask requirement," she said.

Previously: Columbia school board extends COVID-19 plan, mask mandate in chaotic meeting amid ongoing lawsuit

Kate Canterbury, a parent who is involved in CoMo for Progress, spoke in support of masks.

"Please continue this," she said. "We are so close to the finish line. Why can't we just wear the mask? It's not that hard to do."

There was no repeat of the previous meeting, when the school district security director and police cleared the meeting room for several minutes after a resident directed comments to individual school employees, which violates the school board's practice related to comments at school board meetings.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt is suing the school district over its mask mandate, though he didn't succeed in making it a class-action lawsuit with a ruling applying to all Missouri school districts.

On another issue, State Rep. Chuck Basye, R-Rocheport, criticized what he said is the district's use of The 1619 Project and Critical Race Theory during public comment.

"We are wanting to ban hatred from being taught in public schools," Basye said of the state Legislature. "I believe CRT is being taught in Columbia Public Schools."

He previously issued a statement calling for Yearwood to resign.

Elements of The 1619 Project will be used in two elective courses for high school seniors under a district agreement with The Pulitzer Center.

The 1619 Projectwas a far-reaching piece in the New York Times Magazine in 2019, the 400th anniversary of slavery in what was to become the United States.

"The Missouri Legislature is going to take action on this," Basye said.

A legislative committee has held hearings on the issue.

State Rep. David Tyson Smith, D-Columbia, countered Basye, even as a white detractor in the audience called the Black legislator a "moron."

"Nationally, there is a wave, a political wave, moving across the country," Smith said.

It's reached Columbia, he said.

"One of the biggest political boogey men outthereis this issue of Critical Race Theory," Smith said. "It's designed to scare parents and win votes."

It's a page out of a political playbook, he said.

"I encourage you to stand strong and not buckle under political pressure," Smith said.

Chimene Schwach, who recently announced her candidacy for the Missouri House District 46 seat, said she's the parent of a high school student taking anadvanced placement course that forces him to think.

"We want our kids to aspire to learn," she said. "It's how they grow."

History should be taught from perspectives other than that of white people, she said.

"It should not scare us to teach other people's perspectives, she said.

Resident Al Plummersaid legislators should stick to legislating and avoid areas where they have no expertise.

"Those who use divisive means for their own personal gain are reprehensible," Plummersaid.

Inother action, the school board approved a policy allowing parents to record meetings related to the special education and disability education plans for their children. Now a state law, parents have long lobbied the school district to adoptsuch a policy.

It took two-and-a-half years, said Robyn Schelp, president of Missouri Disability Empowerment.

"The school district and the board should have supported this from the beginning," Schelp said. "Instead, parents had to get a law passed."

rmckinney@columbiatribune.com

573-815-1719

Read more from the original source:

Reaction divided as Columbia Board of Education renews COVID-19 mask mandate - Columbia Daily Tribune