Lewis Cass mask mandate takes effect

Sep. 9—WALTON — In a vote of 2-1, the Lewis Cass Schools board passed a mask mandate at its meeting Wednesday.

Elementary students began following the requirement Thursday, while sixth through 12th grade students will be required to do the same when they return to campus Monday.

All students in kindergarten through 12th grade will be required to follow the Indiana State Department of Health's (IDOH) quarantine guidelines. That means any student masked or vaccinated would not have to quarantine if they came into contact with a person who tests positive for COVID-19.

Any student who remains unmasked or has not had a vaccine must quarantine if they come into contact with a person who tests positive for COVID-19.

The decision followed last month's approval to let parents choose whether their children could attend school after coming into contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19. At that time, if parents opted to send children to school instead of quarantining them, the school nurse was required to monitor students' health by checking for symptoms and taking temperatures.

On the first day of that protocol, more than 300 students waited in line, said Teresa Mygrant, whose daughter waited 25 minutes to have her temperature checked before being cleared for class.

If a student was running a fever or presented symptoms, the nurse could send the student home. If none of the symptoms appeared or a fever was not recorded, then the nurse could send the student to class.

But Wednesday, the school board attorney, John Damm of Logansport, told community members during a public hearing that the previous decision drew some unwanted attention.

"We were gonna be under the gun on this," Damm said of the previous policy, explaining that the county attorney, Jeff Stanton, was asked to review the school corporation's decision-making.

And while he stands by the board's effort to protect students, staff and teachers, Damm said the IDOH keeps changing the rules. In fact, he said, on Aug. 19 — after the board's first policy change — the department updated its guidelines to state students "shall" quarantine instead of students "should" quarantine.

Board President Ryan Zeck said the constant changing of the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and IDOH means that the board may have to revisit policy changes off and on throughout the school year.

But many parents at Wednesday's meeting wanted to know when the government, the county and the school will stop interfering with their children's lives.

"How long do we have to continue putting our kids through these ups and downs?" Taylor Williams asked the board. "If masks worked, this virus would be gone by now."

Plus, she continued, it's taking a toll on everyone — especially the younger generations. She said she has a 9-year-old who told her she does not want to go to school if she has to wear a mask.

"There's no science to show if this works ... and our kids should have an opinion. Their mental health is important," Williams said.

Jennifer Preston agreed. Serving as a coach and a youth group leader, she said she knows all too well the decline in mental health.

"We're living in fear of the unknown. And that's not healthy. We've become lazy, depressed and anti-social. Masks are unhealthy. No one wants kids in masks all day. No one gets enough oxygen trying to breathe through a mask all day," Preston said. "COVID has caused a lot of deaths, but those deaths are because of bullying, suicide and mental health issues, not the virus."

Parent Jason McClain said the best approach to the virus is to get vaccinated, not to mandate mask-wearing.

Another parent responded to that. Andrew Miller said that no one likes to wear a mask, but "this isn't a popularity poll."

"This is a public health issue, and I doubt this board even consulted with any health experts," he said. "We should be taking aggressive measures to keep our kids safe and in school. We know virtual learning doesn't work, so isn't it logical to take the most aggressive action?"

Miller added that mask mandates are not an infringement on parental rights.

"The state often tells parents what to do ... child safety seats for vehicles, seatbelts. Why does my child who takes personal responsibility and wears a mask have to suffer responsibility for others when doing what's right?" he asked. "A virus is circulating in our community. A right to a public education is beyond a right of a parent. Enact reasonable measures to keep our kids in school."

Miller and fellow board member Tim Johnson voted in favor of the policy change. Zeck voted against it. Rick Lee and Matt Lewellen were absent.

"It's not just the children we must consider," said Amy Miller, board member. "We are responsible for the health of the teachers and staff. It's not just the kiddos."

Reach Kristi Hileman at kristi.hileman@pharostribune.com or 574-732-5150