The State Board of Education heard from officials and parents about the school mask mandate at its monthly meeting on Wednesday.
Several people asked the board to leave it up to school districts to decide mask rules and expressing concerns about students wearing masks all day, especially those with allergies. School officials said they’re worried about teachers and staff enforcing the mandate and dealing with angry parents.
Prior to the comments, State School Superintendent Carmen Ayala said the mask mandate policy was not up for discussion at the meeting and then discussed the importance of everyone wearing masks at school.
“We are seeing pediatric ICU’s at capacity. We are seeing hospital’s having to turn away cancer patient and heart attack victims because they have no beds available On Saturday an 8th grade girl in Mississippi died due to complications with Covid.”
State Senator and Republican Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey announced he will present the Governor with 45,000 signatures from those against the mask mandate.
“The Governor lacks the authority to make or enforce this mandate. Please tell the people what authority did the Governor site in his executive order. There is no unilateral authority granted in the Illinois Constitution.”
Bailey says a bill that would give that authority stalled in the State Senate last year. State Representative Blaine Willhour told the State Board they threw the probationary process in the trash.
“We need answers, we deserve answers. You need accountability and this isn’t just about masks this is about out government and the bureaucratic class running wild. Circumventing the law, squashing the will of the people and that needs to stop. We have laws for a reason.”
Salem High School Superintendent Dr. Brad Detering also testified. He told the State Board they were following the mask mandate now because it is the right thing to do because of the metrics. Salem High started the year with 10 students positive for COVID-19. However, he asked the state board to be favorable to allowing to move to mask recommended when metrics improve.
The state board did not respond to any of the testimony. The mandate requires all students and staff to wear a mask indoors, regardless of whether or not they’ve been vaccinated.
