Two parents once again asked the Salem Grade School Board Thursday night to consider lifting the mandatory masking requirement. Both Lane Whisenant and Brock Waggoner cited recent court injunctions granted to students of other districts not requiring them to wear masks if they are not quarantined. Whisenant said his daughter is being homeschooled as a result of the mandate but he wants her to return to school.
Later in the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Leslie Foppe addressed the concerns of the two parents.
“That we are beyond frustrated at this point. We have yet to receive the proper guidance from ISBE. We are trying to do what we are supposed to do to follow the rules but yet they are leaving us in the wind and we are trying to survive while it’s happening. I asking everyone for grace, for time and understanding until we hear from ISBE and IDPH and what guidance to follow and as we find out what happens with the court system to find out what we are exactly supposed to do. Until then we stay the course we are on. And I know and understand and validate everyone’s feelings on this topic, and I hate the situation we are put in.”
Right now, under State Board of Education Guidelines, the district faces probation and eventual loss of recognition, state funding, and the ability to play post-season sports if they do not follow the mask mandate.
Foppe emphasized what they are all trying to do is keep our kids safe and keep them in school.
“We are doing a great job keeping our kids in school. We have only had a handful of students that the Health Department had to quarantine for close contact at school. This is due to following IDPH guidelines. We will continue to follow them and I will update changes as they happen.”
Foppe was told ISBE would be providing new guidelines on Wednesday, but as of the Thursday night meeting, she still had not received them. Foppe says right now they have four students out who have tested positive for COVID, with only 11 on quarantine due to close contact at school. 67 other students are on quarantine due to household contacts. Four staff members are currently in quarantine, two teachers, and two paraprofessionals. Foppe says none of them have tested positive.
On a related note, Foppe said the district would begin the mandated weekly testing of staff and teachers who are not vaccinated on Tuesday, September 23rd. She reported Bandy’s Pharmacy has agreed to come to the school to complete the testing to keep the school in compliance with the mandate.
