Two weeks ago, Governor Gianforte rescinded the statewide mask mandate, and since then, local schools have been working to figure out what their policies should be regarding masks for their students and staff. Balancing the needs of various groups with differing interests and wishes is something with which school boards are very familiar.
At a recent Shepherd School Board meeting, a member of the staff made an impassioned plea for the district to maintain masks in order to protect members of the school who have health concerns. School boards across the county have been faced with the reality that no matter what decision is made, someone will be unhappy with the result. Comments at various school board meetings and on school Facebook pages continue to demonstrate the polarization on this issue.
The Montana High School Association (MHSA) issued a statement regarding schools and masks, essentially leaving the decision up to each local school board. “Schools will follow the local health requirements (home and if visiting) and any school policy (home and if visiting) on COVID requirements (masks, fan limits, etc.), this includes regular and post season play. With the lifting of the requirement, coaches and substitutes would have to be masked if required by local school or local health department policy. Otherwise, if there are no health department or school restrictions, the MHSA encourages personal responsibility and encourages coaches, substitutes and fans to mask and social distance.”
Mark Wandle, Superintendent of Huntley Project School District, recommended to the school board that they continue as they have been doing. If students are in a crowded classroom where social distancing is not feasible, then students and staff are to wear their masks. If they can socially distance, then masks would be optional. Of course, if someone requests that a mask be worn when in close contact with them, Wandle was certain that staff, students, and members of the community would be respectful and considerate. Wandle surveyed the staff at Huntley Project schools, and it was split fairly evenly: 48% wanted to be done with the masks, 51% wanted to keep the policy as it currently stands, and 1% wanted to require masks full-time.
“My goal is to keep as many people attending school full-time as possible,” stated Wandle, “and I believe our current policy has allowed us to do that. Our attendance has stayed consistently above 90%, at times even higher than it was at this time last year. I owe it all to our wonderful community doing what needs to be done to keep our kids in school.”
Huntley will be hosting the 4B District Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball Tournaments next week, and in order to comply with MHSA guidelines, all spectators will be required to wear masks. Concessions will be available, but on a limited basis. They will offer sodas and drinks, as well as candy bars and chips, but cooked items such as burgers and popcorn will not be offered.
The Shepherd School Board originally voted to make masks optional once the mask mandate was lifted, but the following day, Superintendent Drea O’Donnell sent out a message indicating that the School Board needed to review additional information and guidelines before they could make a final decision. At a special school board meeting on Monday, February 15, O’Donnell informed the School Board that the wording of the legislation signed by the Governor last week left open the possibility of litigation against the district. They voted to continue to require masks on school property.
Billing School District 2 has stated that they will maintain their masking policy until they hear differently from the medical community or until the CDC changes any of its recommendations. Superintendent Greg Upham stated, “We will maintain the same process as we have always done from the very beginning; masking will be required while in the school buildings, and physical distancing to the best of our abilities with increased attention to sanitation.”
Lockwood Schools are also continuing to require masks in all of their schools. The school board voted in January to keep the mask mandate in place regardless of state or county restrictions. According to Tobin Novasio, Superintendent of Lockwood Schools, they would reconsider the requirement of masks only if “the infection rates get low enough that we do not feel that masks are necessary anymore.”
Laurel School District is the only district in Yellowstone County making significant changes to their mask policy. As of Monday, February 15, Laurel School District had already lifted the requirement to wear masks, stating in their updated policy manual that “staff and students may wear a mask while present in any school building.” The policy continues, “the Board of Trustees’ decision to not require or provide masks is based on a review of the circumstances in the community and consultation with local health officials….”
Mark Wandle summed up the feelings of many of the superintendents when he stated, “I am grateful for the understanding and cooperation of our community members. They have kept their students home if they have any symptoms, and they have really helped us out to keep us where we are. Hopefully by August, things will return back to somewhat of a more normal routine.”
