EW board to vote on mask requirement

The East Washington School Board will vote Tuesday night at the regular school board meeting on whether to make a temporary mask requirement permanent.

The board released a letter to parents and guardians in the community notifying them of the action and informing them of their rights to speak and share their opinions at the meeting.

Those wishing to speak will be given three minutes during the meeting. The letter, which was issued by the entire board, made it clear that board members also receive information via phone calls, e-mails and in-person from individuals within the school corporation.

“It is our job as school board members to not only consider parental opinions, but consider all perspectives that may ensure the safety of students and staff,” the letter said.

At the end of the public comments, the board will hold the vote on the mask requirement.

The letter goes on to say that statistics show increasing hospitalizations among younger people who are not able to be vaccinated and schools with mask requirements quarantine very few students compared to schools without a mask requirement.

“Our goal is to keep students and staff as safe as possible while continuing in-person learning,” the letter said.

The letter also points to the struggle many students had with virtual learning during the 2020-21 school year.

“We understand students wearing masks during the school day is a controversial issue all across the country, but we must work together for the good of the students,” the letter reads.

Parents and guardians are assured the board will consider all options before making any decisions concerning the topic of mask requirements.