More than a dozen individuals asked Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. to enact less restrictive protocols regarding COVID-19 this fall when school resumes, and to let parents make decisions about their children’s safety.
The speakers at Monday night’s BCSC school board meeting told board members that parents should have the right to choose if their children wear masks or get the COVID-19 vaccine when school resumes Aug. 6.
Their comments followed a COVID-19 update from Superintendent Jim Roberts.
In his COVID-19 update, Roberts cited the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH), which has stated that after July 1, 2021, local boards "will be responsible for implementing whatever measures and restrictions deemed necessary and prudent to address the impact and spread of COVID-19" in their school district. The department of health added that these boards are "encouraged" to follow CDC and Indiana Department of Health guidance.
Roberts also said that BCSC is in "regular conversation" with other school districts.
"The conversation about masks is the most pressing one, I think," he said.
Many of the speakers talked about their concerns about the effects of masks on children’s emotional, physical and mental health, social development, academic success and communication.
Other topics of discussion included communication between board members and the community, vaccinations, mask efficacy, the idea of mask mandates based on vaccination, and the requirements that federal COVID-19 relief funds may pose for schools.
COVID-19 protocols are under particular scrutiny as local school boards in Indiana now have greater flexibility — and responsibility — in determining what protocols are needed in their facilities.
Speaker Christy Stackhouse said that masks should no longer be required, given the variety of options that are now available to parents.
"There was a time when we needed to mask up for safety, because that was our only option for protection from the virus," she said. "But that’s no longer the case. Options are available. If a parent is concerned that their child will be exposed to or infected with the COVID-19 virus, that child’s parent has the right to vaccinate or mask their child for his or her own protection. Parents also have the option of online school.”
Megan Johnson said that masking and vaccination are medical decisions "that should be decided by a family member, not a board member."
Some speakers also expressed the negative experiences their children had with masking.
After being masked during bus rides, Kirsten Shofner said her children were "fatigued from the heat and lack of oxygen."
Misty Hunter said that her daughter had daily headaches from masking. She also saw a drop in her grades, which Hunter believes is due, in part, to the mask’s physical effects and its effect on her focus.
In Mila Dempsey’s case, she believes that last year’s masking policy negatively impacted her child’s "language and social development."
While it is the board’s duty to be a voice for the community, parents and caregivers hold the role of being "our children’s voice," said Kelly Whaler.
"We are their biggest advocate, and they are our responsibility," she said.
She later added that it’s hypocritical for people to suddenly act as if it’s everyone’s job to take care of everybody else’s health, as parents send their children to school sick all the time. Ultimately, she said, her job is to take care of her son and his needs.
Eric Streeval also expressed concern about collectivism, saying that he feels that the "individual liberties and rights" of parents and children are being lost.
"My degree is in history," Streeval said. "And as you go through history, you see the very same tactics of separating people. OK, we’re going to, as one person put, shame one group into doing what we want, making them wear a mask or a star of David or a yellow armband, whatever it takes. I think what I’m trying to say here is Chairman Mao would be very proud of how things are being done.”
In regards to collectivism, Streeval pointed oout the remarks of BCSC School Board President Jill Shedd. In her opening reflection Monday night, Shedd talked about lessons learned over the past year, including "the value of interdependency" and the importance of relationships with others.
“It is not enough only to take care of one’s self, to follow guidelines selectively or as we choose," she said. "We continue to deal with a highly infectious virus. Out of respect and care for others, not just for ourselves, following public health guidelines has been and continues to be important. We must care for others.”
For now, the school corporation’s COVID-19 guidelines for the 2021-22 year have yet to be announced, though Roberts indicated that BCSC will seek the community’s feedback and more information will be shared with the public during the month of July.
The school corporation’s next steps will include reviewing CDC and IDOH guidance, consulting with local health officials, having discussions with the Columbus Educators Association and seeking stakeholder input. He said that this may involve sending out an electronic survey for feedback.
BCSC’s timeline for announcements is as follows:
- Week of July 5: An "initial recommendation" will be shared with the public.
- Week of July 12: The school corp. will communicate with the public again.
- July 19: A recommendation will be presented to the school board for formal approval.
At the end of the meeting, school board members thanked attendees for their input, both in-person and via email, and promised to take it into consideration.
Board member Julie Bilz acknowledged that it can be difficult to make decisions for an entire district and find a balance between the good of the many and individual "rights and responsibilities."
She said that she will look into data on the matters presented and added, “Parents, you are important to the school corporation, and you’re a part of this school corporation. And you should have a say in many of the things we do in this district.”
Board member Kathy Dayhoff-Dwyer said that she hopes the board will make the best decision for everyone.
“I also have a son with special needs and do understand the concerns," she said. "
Shedd said that she hoped speakers know that "everything was heard."
"We have a lot to reflect on, and we will ask your input as we continue to make decisions in the best interest of over 10,000 students," she said. "That’s our responsibility.”
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BCSC’s next steps will include reviewing CDC and state health department guidance, consulting with local health officials, having discussions with the Columbus Educators Association and seeking stakeholder input. He said that this may involve sending out an electronic survey for feedback.
BCSC’s timeline for announcements is as follows:
- Week of July 5: An "initial recommendation" will be shared with the public.
- Week of July 12: The school corp. will communicate with the public again.
- July 19: A recommendation will be presented to the school board for formal approval.
According to BCSC’s official online calendar, the first day of school for students will be Aug. 6.
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BCSC is reporting from August to the end of the school year, there were 665 positive COVID-19 cases. Of those, 431 were student cases, 162 were support staff cases and 72 were teacher cases.
During the course of the year, BCSC had 4,042 close contacts.
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