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Face masks will stay in Peoria Unified
Divided PUSD board votes to keep them for remainder of year
Posted
Masks
Peoria Unified governing board members sound off on the subject of masks.
David Sandoval: "I don’t disagree that masks are not the most comfortable attire to have to wear on a daily basis. We are living in unprecedented times, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it is much closer than it once was. That said, we are still in a pandemic and when you look at the numbers, they could continue to rise,” he said. “Masks do mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and as a district we have always prioritized the health and wellness of all those in our charge. ... I certainly support the district’s recommendation to maintain our current protocols as is.”
Rebecca Hill: "I believe it is time to give parents a choice. It comes down to freedom and parents have not had a choice. I personally have a problem wearing a mask. I use a face shield due to health issues. I know other people do too and I know some kids have difficulty wearing masks. I believe they are physically and emotionally detrimental and can cause long lasting damage to our children,” she said. “My kids have been quarantined too. I don’t think it is worth it to punish a kid. They just need to have a childhood. It hurts me that they can’t smile at each other. I know there is depression going on, I have seen it first hand. Kids are really struggling.... I realize there is only 19 days left, but oh my god, wouldn’t it be a beautiful thing to give the gift of a smile?"
Cory Underhill: She said the community still has a long way before it reaches herd immunity. The transmission rate is still in the “substantial” range and the disease is still here. Major retailers in Arizona are still requiring masks, and they are doing this because wearing masks is still the number one bullet on the CDC mitigation plan and Arizona Department of Health Services guidance for COVID-19.
“Because students and staff were willing to follow the mitigation strategy, we have been one of the only districts to stay open the majority of the year. Staff and administration have done everything possible to make this happen and while it hasn’t been perfect, because frankly this is our first pandemic, our students and parents have really appreciated those efforts,” she said. “I think we’re all tired of wearing masks. But the fact of the matter is that we’ve been open in a lot of ways because of masks and because of our mitigation strategy.”
Face masks are not going away for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year in Peoria Unified School District.
With just over two weeks left in the school year, the governing board voted to continue with the current COVID-19 migration strategies. This includes all students, staff and guests on all school and district properties.
Superintendent Jason Reynolds said mitigation procedures will continue to be re-evaluated as the district transitions to summer programming and prepares for the start of the next school year.
In response to Gov. Doug Ducey’s recent executive order that eliminated a statewide mask mandate for K-12 schools but allows individual school district governing boards to institute and enforce policies to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19, the district added an agenda item regarding this issue to the school board meeting, April 22.
Initially, a motion was made to make masks optional, but it failed 2-3.
Subsequently, the governing board approved a recommendation from district staff to continue with the current mitigation strategies for the remainder of the school year. Board members David Sandoval, Cory Underhill and Bill Sorensen voted in support of the status quo. Board members Beverly Pingerelli and Rebecca Hill wanted to make mask wearing an option.
The recommendation from the district was based on a number reasons, including current health metrics showing that cases have risen from 65 on April 8 to 90 on April 22, as well as percent positive cases rising from 6% on April 8 to 8% on April 22.
Mr. Reynolds said the federal and county guidelines for schools have not changed.
Just as the board was divided on the issue of face masks, so too were those who spoke at the board meeting.
Parent Jodi Brackett said she is the one who is responsible for her child’s health, not everyone else, whether it is the government or school system.
“We are in deep trouble not only as a community but as an entire nation if we keep these masks on these kids. They are being suppressed. They will end up wearing these masks from here on out if it is up to some people. This will go on and on,” she said. “People who want to wear masks, go ahead, but do not intimidate or manipulate others if we do not feel the same. Each individual should have a choice.”
Sarah Bartz is a teacher at Ironwood High School. She said that over the last year the academic process has been interrupted several times due to this unpredictable pandemic, and it was during those transitions that kids struggled the most. Removing the mask mandate could greatly disrupt the educational process in a year that already has been filled with so much chaos, Ms. Bartz said.
Removing masks with only two weeks left in the school year would most likely result in an increase of positive cases which will require even more kids to be quarantined and could impact their academic standings in the crucial last weeks of school, she said.
“In December and January we watched as many parents tried to move their children to virtual learning models after the abrupt decision to change previous metrics. Many parents were frustrated. This decision was made after they had already selected in-person learning. Many lost trust in the district and some even went as far as to remove their child and send them to out of district online programs. Removing the mask guideline now would again change those guidelines,” Ms. Bartz said.
Philip Haldiman can be reached at phaldiman@newszap.com, or on Twitter @philiphaldiman.
Philip Haldiman is a third generation Arizona native with brief residencies on the east and west coasts.
He has bachelor’s degrees in Theater and Journalism at Arizona State University, and is an award winning journalist with more than 15 years worth of experience in reporting and editing.
Most recently, he took first place for investigative reporting and third place for best sustained coverage or series at the 2023 Arizona Newspapers Association awards.
In his free time, he produces an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.