After a contentious and lengthy Twin Valley School Board meeting, a motion to follow state mandates on masking in schools ended in a 4-4 vote.
More than 150 people attended the meeting this week in the high school auditorium.
The vote came after a roughly two-hour public comment period in which about 35 people spoke, most in favor of parental choice over whether their children should be masked in school, adding that they believe the Wolf administration mandate on masks is illegal, immoral and unconstitutional.
The failed motion was then discussed in a long executive session but it was determined that following the mask order is not under local control; therefore the board nor administration can choose not to adhere to the mandate.
The motion also was about joining other districts in legal action, including request for injunction relief related to enforcement.
For students to be exempt from the mandate, parents must fill out a mask exemption form.
Board President Gary McEwen said the policy would give medically challenged students the abilities to forgo the masks.
“This gives you the option but would not put our district in jeopardy,” McEwen said.
In other business, efforts by high school junior Arden Wolfe, to change the school’s mascot, a Native American “Raider,” gained little traction with the larger mask issue in the spotlight.
Wolfe unveiled a new mascot, Twin Valley McEwens, in a poster. The reaction to the poster and its use of the board president was not well received.
Wolfe said later that it was not meant to be disrespectful. She just wanted a Caucasian person to understand how it feels to be singled out.
“Native American wardrobe is not meant to be used as a costume, especially when they are unrepresented in the school district,” Wolfe added. “Now you know how Native Americans feel.”
Wolfe and others are working with student leaders, tribal leaders, and the community and have gotten 4,200 signatures on a petition against the mascot.
The board and administration have said they are working on taking care of COVID matters and not focusing on the mascot issue.
“We are focused on educating students in the middle of a pandemic,” said Dr. Patrick Winters, superintendent.
Some school districts and professional sports teams have already changed their mascots during the pandemic.
Source: Berkshire mont
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