Special Board of Education Meeting
May 27, 2021
Face Masks
June 7 Proposed Change
Community values, emotions, perspectives
Looking forward to getting back to a place and time when:
A) More people respectfully discuss their differences;
B) Community divisiveness can subside;
C) Kindness and grace is the norm, even at times of disagreement.
Believe: “Student interests” remains our community’s collective beliefs, supports, protections, efforts, and priorities.
*This recommendation IS based on the current status of very low covid-case #’s as outlined in the “NOW” --vs-- “THEN” following presentation. To be clear, the rude/disrespectful anti-mask commentary, from a tiny handful of “squeaky wheels” who spoke at recent Board meetings, had no influence on this recommendation.
*Blue comment stated at mtg now added to this slide on 6/3/21
We are at a time for considerations/crossroad/pivot….
Monday (24th) the Board voted on a compromise (K-5 masks but optional 6-12). At that time we anticipated a tough, challenging, split Board vote hence, the compromise recommendation. The vote failed along with a separate vote for K - 12 optional masks largely due to PH guidance vs. local decisions/opinions. The Board chose to reconvene ASAP to not allow this issue to linger. Some people will support while others will disagree with the Board vote.
The date/time of this meeting was determined by Board member availability and in recognition of the responsibility to notify the public/parents/staff of any potential summer changes ASAP. Abnormal time? Yes. For hidden reasons? No
Today, this presentation attempts to explain the “WHY” behind a recommendation for optional masks PK-12 grade starting June 7. Main “why” of this recommendation is that current covid-case #’s are low.
Risk Assessment -- both sides of the coin
PH and CDC are wise, conservative, knowledgeable, safe, cautious people responsible for controlling a communicable disease; Extreme measures at critical times to control outbreaks and further spread. Life saving measures; Various guidelines, orders, mandates, opinions; Conflicting research reports, variety of public opinion, disagreement about science; etc.
Respectful local decision:
Now (today) as we view both sides of the coin (and balance risks) we see the scale tipped toward developmental/social/emotional best interests of kids vs. pandemic concerns, when debating our district mask policy moving forward.
We ARE now in a different place/time/condition for the district to consider optional masks.
COVID RISKS OTHER INTERESTS
Re-Balancing Risks as Conditions Change
Two Sides of the Same Coin
Covid Cases= high
No Vaccine
Deaths are Rising
Hospital Capacity
Covid Cases = low
Vaccine is widely available
Death Rates are Down
Hospitalizations are down
Covid-Risks
*Spread virus
*Pandemic
*Covid #’s
*Outbreaks
*Community Spread
Soc./Emotional
*Scared for family
*Smiles/gestures
*Speech/reading skills
*Breathe fresh air
*Expressions
*Normalcy
*Hassles
THEN
NOW
Spring Break incubation 2-week theory 29 of 42 cases (+pre-vaccine impact)
….T H E N…..
N O W….
School District of RF Positive cases by week
THEN
November 13 = pivot #’s
December 3 = 13
December 11 = 12
December 19 = 23
January 8 = 21
January 15 = 8
January 22 = 7
January 29 = 15
February 5 = 14
NOW
February 12 = 4 Community vaccines ramp-up
February 19 = 4
February 26 = 8
March 5 = 4 (4-days/week grades 7-12)
March 12 = 1
March 19 = 2
April 2 = 4
April 9 = 4 (5-days/week grades 7-12)
April 16 = 15
April 23 = 14
April 30 = 6
May 7 = 5 ages 12+ vaccine eligible
May 14 = 5
May 21 = 1
Spring Break incubation period (and pre-vaccine impact)
THEN………...December 7, 2020
All ages/all residents
District Boundary
...includes ALL age residents...
NOW
New daily average of confirmed cases = 0.57
Today, this is where we are at with the “Harvard Model”
(This Slide #11 added on 6/2/21)
Entire School District Boundary…... THEN vs. NOW
December = 48.7 average/day of new covid cases
NOW Today = 0.57 average/day of new covid cases
Q: Pivot mask policy at what number? Goal? Target?
That was THEN….November 2020
Pierce County
We have “flattened the curve” LINK
Pierce County
NOW
“Flatten the Curve”....
NOW
COUNTY
New daily average of confirmed cases = 0.71
Learning from the past….
Last summer we ran summer school amid new pandemic concerns. We did so successfully which in turn, gave us confidence to bring grades PK-6 to school 5-days/week this entire school year.
Now, we are faced with another decision that WILL influence our decisions for school year 2021-22.
Recommendation for June 7, 2021
*Optional Masks (PK - 12 Students+Staff)
*Support, respect, and encourage mask choice...
*Layers of mitigation efforts will remain (Cohort groups in summer school; Limit # of hours in summer school; Smaller class sizes in summer school; Clean facilities/sanitization; Hygiene + handwashing; Fresh air circulation, windows open, ionization; Isolation and quarantine continues; Stay home when ill -- and get tested for covid; Vaccinations will continue to rise in number; etc…)
*As always, the SDRF will monitor and pivot based on in-district covid cases, # of close contacts, county and community spread, outbreaks, etc...