CPS holds meeting to discuss parents’ mask concerns

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Public Schools is set to host a zoom meeting Saturday afternoon to address parent's concerns regarding the district's mask-wearing recommendation for in-person classes this fall.

Peter Stiepleman, CPS Superintendent scheduled the meeting for Saturday at 2 p.m. as many parents said the district recommending staff and students to wear masks is not enough. 

Stiepleman stated that he wanted to hear the input of parents to see if there should be any adjustments made before Tuesday’s deadline when parents are asked to send whether their student will attend school online or in-person. 

Michelle Baumstark, CPS spokeswoman said enforcing the students to wear a mask would cause too many issues and is not something the district feels they can 100 percent enforce.

"It's very very difficult to require something that you can't enforce," Baumstark said. "And you have to think about the nature of what we're dealing with and we're dealing with children and that comes with a variety of behaviors."

The district plans to focus on making sure that kids are wearing the masks properly, the premises on layers of protection, and more.

CPS worked with the Columbia/ Boone County Health Department before making a determination about masks.

Baumstark said the district cannot require masks, but that they encourage students and teachers to wear them.

Mark Wakefield MU Health Care Associate Chief Medical Officer said he encourages people to wear masks.

He said people have to balance living life, as they need employment, education, groceries and social interaction as it's an important part of being a human, but people also need to modify their behaviors.

Along with around 500 attendees, ABC 17 News also listened into that zoom meeting where a clear decision of what parents want was not visible. 

There were many parents that spoke that wanted CPS to enforce mask wearing, but also just as many that did not want that enforcement and wanted to keep masks strongly encouraged.

Those who spoke about mandating masks said they understand there are students who have reasons where they may not be able to wear them, such as special needs, anxiety or previous trauma but that they believe looking at enforcement with exceptions rather than not enforcing and just encouraging is needed.

Other parents were concerned about hearing impaired students and how they would be able to interrupt others. Stiepleman answered that CPS has purchased masks that are see through and are also discussing purchasing clear facial shields.

Both Stiepleman and parents are concerned about disciplining those who do not wear a mask if CPS mandates them. Stiepleman said the district will discuss this further while they look into what the district will decide.

There were also discussions of giving students "mask breaks" being implemented if masks are mandated.

If masks do end up being required parents had questions regarding enforcing masks for high school and middle school students but not elementary students as they may face more challenges with keeping them on.

"That's one of the disadvantages of a mask," Wakefield said. "You fettle fits with your mask because it's irritating. These are all little habits we have to break."

Stiepleman said CPS would take that into consideration.

Stiepleman also mentioned that yes, if the city does approve mandating mask wearing then the district does have to follow that ruling.

Both parents and Stiepleman discussed the benefits of outside learning as something that the district could take advantage of and discuss pushing forward.

One parent mentioned masks could fall into a dress code and how the district enforces that.

Stiepleman did state that CPS may delay the Tuesday deadline as the zoom meeting showed there was still a lot to discuss as well as the city voting on a mandated mask policy.