The Columbia Public School community is split over mask mandate
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia Public School parents, faculty, and staff are split over the decision to mandate masks for anyone in school buildings and on school buses.
The mandate goes into effect on Monday. The district sent a letter to families on Friday announcing the decision (CPS coronavirus plan.)
Denise Latorre, former CPS teacher said she was glad to see the district would require masks.
"I was really glad to see that they did pass the mask mandate. I think its a small thing we can do to keep the schools open and to keep the staff and students safe," Latorre said.
Andrea Jackson, a CPS parent said she is fine with the mask requirement because what is most important to her, is that her kids will be in seat.
"I am fine with it, I honestly think it's probably a good call. My kids have no issue with it, they are just repeatedly saying they want to get back to school, so if this is what we have to do in my opinion to avoid virtual schooling, that is what is going to be best for everyone," Jackson said.
Other parents were unhappy with the decision.
Scott Halterman, a CPS parent, said he would rather the school do frequent Covid-19 testing than require kids to wear masks.
"I don't like it, my wife being a nurse she thinks it should happen but I just go back to why aren't they testing kids," Halterman said.
CPS parent, John Potter, said he was disappointed by the mask mandate.
"We're disappointed that it went into effect. Like I said before, its effected our children's learning, it affected all three of our children's learning," Potter said.
CPS has about 19,000 students and 3,000 employees in 42 buildings.
The district says it will continue to monitor the situation and update the policy if needed. The district is also encouraging all students and staff to be vaccinated. CPS says families should monitor their children for sickness and keep kids with symptoms home.
The district has reported 849 coronavirus infections in students since June 2020 and 4,270 in quarantine during that time. CPS mandated masks for the final two weeks of summer school this year amid an uptick in student cases and quarantines as the coronavirus started to surge locally.
Boone County reported 687 active cases Friday.
CPS currently has 10 positive student COVID-19 cases, with five students in quarantine.
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