I promised you a while back that I would be answering frequently asked questions on my website and social media platforms.
The #1 question I am asked is “Do you support masks in schools?”
The answer is “yes.” To maximize days in school and create a safe learning environment for ALL students, including those who have medical conditions, the district should follow the advice of credentialed medical and public health experts. Right now, the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Ohio Department of Health, Franklin County Public Health, and the local doctors I have spoken to all recommend uniform masking in K-12 schools, along with other mitigation strategies.
In addition, the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association is pleading with all school districts across Ohio to implement uniform masking, at least for the next 4 weeks. Our health systems are in crisis. While most children won’t become seriously ill, enough children are getting sick to the point of stressing our pediatric health providers. This affects the healthcare of every child, whether they have COVID or not.
I trust that medical professionals, public health experts, and educators all share the common goal of doing what is best for our children and our community.
I understand that there are situations where masking may be difficult for students. Thankfully, students who may be unable to wear a mask due to a medical, developmental, and/or mental health reason, can request accommodations to fit their needs while also maintaining a safe learning environment.
I also understand that there may be circumstances where teachers may need to unmask to better communicate with students who may have a hearing impairment or may be learning a new language. I am confident that we can come up with proactive, common sense, science-based solutions that allow us to implement mitigation strategies while also meeting the individual needs of our students and staff.
As a school board member, I would be bound by the Ohio School Board Association’s Code of Ethics that states, “…my first and greatest concern must be the educational welfare of all students attending the public schools.” We want all students in school, in-person, 5 days a week, as much as possible. With this goal comes responsibility. We need to make sure we are doing all we can to ensure a free and appropriate public education for all students.
In addition, as a school board member I will be bound by the Ohio School Board Association’s Code of Ethics to “Render all decisions based on the available facts and my independent judgment rather than succumbing to the influence of individuals or special interest groups.” Based on this and the facts presented by numerous medical and public health experts across the country, state, and our local community, I do support masks in schools.
Everyone is tired of pandemic living. I get it.
Unfortunately, we are currently in the midst of a public health crisis. We need to work together to overcome it.
If you would like to hear the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association’s presentation to Ohio Superintendents, please click here.
I highly recommend that you do watch the presentation so that you are informed about what is happening in our community.
To learn more about my platform priorities and my campaign, please click here.
