Masks will be optional when BV students return to school

By: 
Jill Meier, Journal editor

Dr. Amy Kelley, a parent of Brandon Valley students, advocated for mandatory masks when students return to school this fall at Monday's school board meeting.

Brandon Valley parent Brianna Bakker asked the board not to mandate that students wear masks when classes resume this fall.

Dr. Ashley Briggs, a parent of Brandon Valley students, advocated for mandatory masks when students return to school this fall at Monday's school board meeting.

Faced with one of the biggest decisions in Brandon Valley School District history, board members Monday night voted 4-1 to make masks optional for staff and students this fall.

The decision didn’t come lightly, as shared by board member Ellie Saxer.

“Something to keep in mind is that everybody sitting up here, administration and staff is doing everything we can to gather information … and it’s not been an easy task. We have all been reading articles, attending seminars … We can read as many studies and articles and based on our own experiences, every family has their own experiences and beliefs … and that’s what makes this decision difficult,” she said. “The virus is not something to be feared but something to be respected, and something Brandon Valley has always had, and I think the success Brandon Valley has always had is because of the community. So, no matter what decision is made, we would ask for community support, and if we come together as a community, that’s how Brandon Valley … will get way ahead of all of the other communities that are still trying to figure it out.”

Before the 4-1 vote, with Dr. Gregg Talcott voting nay, Superintendent Dr. Jarod Larson shared the results of an online survey that generated 3,506 responses. The traditional school day plan – return to “normal” school days with enhanced cleaning and precautionary measures, where practical and feasible, received an average of 3.9 in support of this plan. 

Suggestions of AA – BB schedule, which would have students split into two different groups and students would attend school on-site two days, earned a 2.4 average on a scale of 1 (strongly disapprove) to 5 (strongly approve).

The half-day schedule, which would split students into two groups and would attend an on-site morning or afternoon session, was not supported by the survey respondents. It received a 2.3 average.

Survey respondents also overwhelmingly disagreed the district should utilize distance learning through the first semeste. That score came in at 1.76 average.

Survey results also indicated that 82 percent would not choose distance learning for their child in semester one, with 18 percent supporting distance learning for their child.

Finally, 75.67 percent of the survey respondents were against the use of mandatory cloth face coverings for all, while 24.33 percent supported them.

Three district patrons took to the podium to share their opinions. 

Dr. Amy Kelley, a physician for more than 15 years with three children in the district, reviewed the extensive letter and supporting studies she sent to board members prior to Monday’s meeting that would encourage mandatory mask usage.

“At a population level, masks are undeniably useful at reducing cases of COVID-19. Mask usage is most effective when all persons wear them. (Those) who choose not to wear masks, endanger others by risking asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic spread of the virus. While there may be a debate about how effective all face coverings are, there is no debate that they are in fact effective,” she shared. “Please do not let perfect be the envy of good. Mandated masks in our school can, No. 1, prevent the spread of viral infection that will compromise the health of children, their families and school employees. No. 2, reduce outbreaks that will threaten school or classroom closer. No. 3, prevent unnecessary time off for parents, staff and teachers, and, four, state health care resources will be tasked with testing and clearing students for returning to school.”

Dr. Kelley said both of her middle schoolers do not believe their peers will wear masks unless it is required, just like they say their friends would not do homework if it is optional.

Mask usage, to be effective, would need at least 80 percent of the student body and school staff wearing a mask.

“If 80 percent are wearing masks, it’s actually as effective as a lockdown to reduce the spread of the virus. But if mask use is less than 30 percent, it’s doesn’t work. It’s almost like not wearing masks at all. So, if face coverings are not mandatory, I do not think we will be able to achieve the 80 percent that is needed to control this virus in our schools,” she said. “Lastly, I would say the virus is theoretical to most people in the Brandon district. Frankly, we don’t know enough about it and it’s very unpredictable in regards to who is asymptomatic and who gets seriously ill. In New York, the only profession that had more people die than healthcare workers and first responders were teachers. I am sure that none of our teachers wants to attend the funeral of a student, and I’m equally sure that none of the students want to attend the funeral of a teacher. … When the first teacher, student or staff in the Brandon district gets seriously ill or God forbid dies, I don’t want any of you to be haunted by that. I want you to be able to look at yourself in the mirror and know that you did everything that you could to keep your community safe. Please require face masks or shield for students, staff and teachers this fall.”

Brianna Bakker, a parent of two elementary-aged children, spoke on the other side of the issue, and said she was also representing the opinion of 30 to 40 other parents in the district. Bakker said they are concerned in the effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, their children will inadvertently be put at risk of other physical and emotional consequences. Bakker also expressed their concerns about the excessive sanitizing and overuse of hand sanitizers in which the Centers for Disease Control is recommending and cleaners hand sanitizers that are known to be carcinogenic. 

“We are all concerned about the effects they will have on our children, the staff and also on their immune systems when used excessively. Also, the overuse of hand sanitizers can lead to the drying or cracking of hands, which is a problem itself. Consider hand-washing when possible and consider different cleaning products,” she encouraged.

Bakker also cited concerns about masks becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses, in turn causing more transmission and an increase in illness, interference with communication and emotional consequences.

Finally, she asked what would happen if children are sent to school without masks since there is no state law or order to mandate them from Governor Kristi Noem, but yet the school would mandate them. 

“Are you willing to turn away our children from education because of a mask? … In our Constitution, we are free to do what we want and I don’t know why I would have to follow another person’s orders. We are asking for all of you on the school board to vote against mandatory use of masks and let it be a personal decision for both the students and staff at school,” she said.

Dr. Ashley Briggs, an OBGYN with Sanford Health for 15 years and parent to a sophomore and a sixth-grader, found on the South Dakota Department of Health’s website that 816 children ages 0-19 in South Dakota have tested positive for COVID-19. While she acknowledged that children are less likely to develop symptoms of COVID-19, but due to underlying health conditions, students may become more severely ill because of the virus.

She also said mandatory mask usage ties in with the five traits of The Lynx Way: respectful, kind, responsible, safe and being active learners.

“Wearing a mask is an act of being respectful to your neighbor because you can be an asymptomatic carrier and by wearing a mask you’re keeping them safe. You’re helping to keep your school open so all of your classmates can continue to be active learners. Wearing a mask is a responsible behavior students can do, and hopefully their parents and community members will follow this behavior,” she said.

Dr. Briggs also noted that mask usage falls under the BVHS dress code, citing “cleanliness, decency, and good taste, restrictions on dress and grooming are necessary when they create a danger to student’s health and safety, interfere with the education process or create a disruption in school.”

Saxer said that education is more than math, reading and science.

“There is also an emotional well-being,” she said, “but we also want to give kids the best education that we can,” she said, adding the district has built the best platform possible, knowing that distance learning doesn’t replace learning on-site.

“We’re asking that you trust us,” she said. “Let us all link arms and come together, no matter what side we’re on in this, because no matter how much we fight and throw stones, you’re not going to change somebody’s opinion.”

Dr. Talcott said survey findings do not always represent what is best.

“Ultimately, I worry about the health of our employees. … I have a fear about not erring on the side of caution … and it may save peoples’ lives,” he said.

“As someone who has an immune-compromised family, you do what you have to do around those people,” shared board president Renee Ullom. “Personally, I think it comes down to parents and families … I just want everyone to know that this is probably the most awkward time in our country, and I just want us all to give one another a little bit of grace.”

 

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