Clashing Community

CLASHING

Parents, students share concerns about ZCS masking policies with board

By Lucy Robinson, Student Life Editor

Since the ZCS school board’s decision on masks was made over the summer, school board meetings have been a hotspot for community outrage and opinion. At the full meeting on Aug. 9 there were seven police officers present, two of which had metal detectors for those walking in. “Our police partners have been attending our board meetings for several years,” School Board President Debbie Ungar said. “There are sometimes additional officers based on the anticipated size of the crowd.” Most of the parents at the meeting were there to address the school board, and some presented their complaints with a lack of community input prior to the most recent mask mandate. The board voted, 3 -2, on July 28 to require masks for students under age 12. “‘Was this not worthy of a survey monkey?’” parent Heather Pervis asked at the meeting. “Let’s do a survey and see how parents are feeling about this. One question is all you need, ‘would you like your kid to wear a mask, yes or no?’ that’s it.” Two students spoke at the meeting about their experience with masks, Hadley Pervis, a sixth grader, and Ryan Murry, a fifth grader. “I’ve always liked school, last year was difficult though,” Hadley Pervis said. “It was my first year of middle school and it was hard enough learning my schedule. Everybody told us that we would be out of masks by next year, but yet that did not happen. And I strongly believe masks should be optional, vaccinated or not.” At the meeting several parents brought their complaints about the school board’s decision, arguing both for and against masking. “I chose to speak at the board meeting because I firmly believe that a community is shaped and made by its participants, so it’s imperative that we, as community members, speak up if we would like to see something change in the community,” parent Kelin Hull said. “If only one person is talking or one point of view is shared, then the community won’t move in the direction you, as a member, would hope. It means you aren’t putting in the work to help shape it.” At the Aug. 9 meeting there were two main viewpoints present. Four adults and two children spoke against the mask mandate, and one adult, Hull, spoke in favor of it. “Masks are the easiest method we have available right now to care about one another in this pandemic. They are more effective the more people that wear them,” Hull said. “Therefore, it is better community health policy to instate a district-wide mask mandate now. It seems the simplest way to prevent large-scale quarantines, remote learning, and even lockdowns.” On the other side, a common argument

Community

The chairs of the School Board Members sit empty. Their next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 13 at 6 p.m.. photo by Sarah Maniscalo

was that not everyone in the middle schools are wearing masks. “Make everyone wear a mask and suffer equally,” parent Leslie Moore said at the board meeting. Despite speaking at the meetings, some of the parents do not believe the school board is taking their thoughts and opinions into consideration. “I’m honestly not sure if my voice was heard at the meeting,” Hull said. “The board did not make a motion to revisit the mask guidelines, which was my ultimate goal, and honestly, appeared to be the goal of those speaking the counterpoint to my argument, as well. On that part, I think we all were equally frustrated at the board’s bureaucratic opacity.” Pervis said that she felt their voices were heard by the board. “Whether this changes their mind is another thing,” Heather Pervis said. “I feel as though the school board has provided no return dialogue for the reason behind masking kids under 12.” The school board has not only received community feedback at the board meetings, according to Ungar, they have received and read many emails from the community. No one can say for sure if the mask mandate will change, however as of Aug. 20 Carmel, Hamilton Southeastern, and Noblesville schools in Hamilton County have started requiring masks for all students and staff, along with schools: Lawrence Township, Washington Township and Pike Township in Marion County. According to Ungar, the board and their leadership team keep a close watch on how the current circumstances may change and adjust accordingly. “Our leadership team remains in close communication with the Boone County Health Department and carefully monitors the number and circumstance of COVID cases in our school community,” Ungar said. “Just as we did last year, adjustments will be made with public health input based on changing circumstances.” The current mandate was decided with regard to Governor Eric Holcomb’s suggestions at the end of July. “Governor Holcomb gave the responsibility for determining COVID-19 mitigation measures to local school boards after July 1, 2021,” Ungar said. “Each school board member considered information from public health leaders and the community before deciding how to vote.” The next ZCS school board meeting will be Sept. 13 and they take place the second Monday of each month. As of now, public comment is still open at ZCS board meetings.

Locally, school boards face community backlash

School board meetings have been getting tense in many neighboring school districts. Carmel Clay Schools has suspended public comments for their upcoming board meetings. They have also added metal detectors to their board meetings since the regular meeting on July 26, when a gun fell out of a man’s pocket at the meeting. Along with that arrest, tensions have been very high among community members especially during the public comments. Carmel isn’t the only school district with loud packed meetings. Hamilton County has also had problems with interrupting and laughing over others speaking. School boards all over the nation are facing increased pressure.