At Anoka-Hennepin Schools, the board voted in favor of requiring masks for Kindergarten through 6th graders when the county’s transmission rate reaches 15 cases per ten thousand residents. Masks for 7th through 12th graders are strongly recommended but not required.
Emotions ran high on both sides of the issue.
“Only we will say what we choose for our kids. We will not cover their face ever again. It is harmful and it diminishes their spirit,” said one woman opposed to mask wearing in schools.
“Of all the safety threats our kids face, this pandemic is the most pressing,” said another woman favoring masks. “Requiring masks for everyone inside school buildings, and on buses, is the safest way for us to start the school year and gives us the best chance to avoid disruption,” she said.
School board member Erin Heers-McArdle called it a compromise aimed at getting students back in class five days a week.
“We are charged with protecting our students, and this does that. Even though it’s not as much as I would like, I am in full support of it,” said Heers-McArdle.
School Board member Bill Harvey said he saw problems, and would vote, no.
“I do have some concerns about the resolution. First of all, the measurements and the timing,” said Harvey. “I know we will continue to do everything we can to protect our children but also protect that bigger picture of our community, and our safety, and our freedoms. And so for that reason I will be voting no on this resolution.”
But the resolution passed and based on current transmission rates, the district is planning to open school with a mask requirement for the younger students. That would change when transmission levels drop.
“Our goal is to make a week by week decision based on trend data,” said Superintendent David Law. “In the event that data would support putting masks in place, it would only be K-5 and 6th grade in classrooms, and only for a week or two weeks that the data would support that.”
At Spring Lake Park schools, the board voted to require masks for Kindergarten through 6th grade when there are more than 100 positive cases per 100,000 population in the county. Currently it’s at 165, so masks would be required when school starts.
Board Chair Amy Hennen read from the resolution:
“Based on current levels of high transmission in Anoka County, all staff, students, and visitors in pre-K through grade 6 programs, are required to wear face coverings when they are in school buildings.”
Board member Sarah Bowe supported it, even though she said it’s not a perfect plan.
“I still feel mask wearing should be a decision best left up to the parents, but this is a compromise. Ultimately, we want the students in school 5 days a week,” said Bowe.
“I feel a very strong duty to keep kids in school and I feel a very strong duty to protect kids,” said Board Chair Hennen. “Kids under the age of 12 can’t get a vaccine. It’s that simple.”
For Centennial Schools, masks are recommended for students, staff and visitors. In a statement, the district said, “Centennial will adjust its plan accordingly should guidance shift to a requirement or mandate for schools for universal masking or masking of designated student groups. Centennial will require masks for students and staff in a school that is at or above a 5% COVID-19 positivity rate.”
The district says it will continue to monitor guidance from public health officials as well as the county caseloads and transmission rates throughout the school year.
