HWCSD Board keeps mask issue status quo

HOWARD COUNTY - One of the main issues on the Howard-Winneshiek CSD’s Board of Education regular meeting was whether to mandate wearing a mask or not. Since the beginning of the school year, the district left it up to the students and their families. 

After over an hour of discussion from administrators of Regional Health Services of Howard County and board members, there was no vote. There was no vote to table the discussion either, so the issue died until it might be brought up at a later date.

During his comments, Supt. Ted Ihns said out of approximately 1,000 students, in the five weeks since school has started, there was one positive in the elementary, one in the high school and another one.

RHSHC’s public health director Audrey Nosbisch, CEO Robin Schluter and Tamara Lickteig gave background information on COVID-19.

Nosbisch stated, “Our ultimate goal is to keep kids in school. This is an 8-12 hour a day job.” On Aug. 21, she said there were 102 positive cases in Howard County and Sept. 21 there were 182 positive with eight deaths.

She explained, “Because we are a hot spot, we have to do mass testing two times a week at nursing homes. I call all the positive cases personally and do as much contact tracing as I can.” Lickteig calls all the schools every day.

Nosbisch said her department takes about 10 calls a day from people who say they are positive but aren’t getting tested. “I guarantee you there are positives walking around this school. It’s frustrating to us they are directly exposing teachers and kids. I’ve talked to so many people, I can tell while talking whether they have COVID or not.”

Schluter asked how many have car seats, and make their kids sit in them. “You can change behavior over time.” It just comes naturally.

She noted some families have had to say goodbye to their loved ones through a window. “It’s not just in New York. It’s here, too.”

Board member Andy Ludeking asked about the end game. “If there is a mandate, when is the end game? Every flu season, are we going to mask? I’ve never heard a goal.”

Schluter noted that at the rate of eight deaths already in Howard County, “I do believe we could lose 300-400 older folks before a vaccine is ready.”

She added the vaccines won’t be ready until the second quarter of 2021. “Do I wear this mask because I’m afraid of Alison (board member Holten) giving COVID to me? No. I wear it so I won’t give it to her.”

Board member Toni Johnson said, “I have a hard time with a mask mandate.”

Schluter reminded, “You are elected to lead the school and protect the kids.”

Johnson countered, “I believe it’s up to God to who does or doesn’t [survive]. I and my family do not want to live in fear.” 

Duane Bodermann asked about the percentage of students who wear masks. Chris Rogne, 7-12 principal said it was about 10-15%. PK-6 principal Doug Sickles said in K-3, about 50% wear masks, while grades 4-6 is less. “The older they get, the percent keeps dropping,” Sickles noted.

Shirley Sovereign said, “I’ve been an educator all my life, and I feel it is extremely important for kids to do face-to-face learning. If we are going to mandate masks, we should have started at the beginning of the year. When you change the rule partway through the year, then children don’t feel adults make good decisions.”

Nosbisch noted Riceville mandated right away, as did other schools. “We encouraged masking but didn’t suggest mandating it. Numbers have pushed us to this.”

Besides having public health and their own ideas guiding their decision, four community members/parents spoke for not mandating. One explained if her son was forced to wear a mask in school, he would be wearing it all day as his afterschool job mandates masks. He asked me, “When can I breathe?”

In the end, Johnson made a motion to table the issue, which died for lack of a second.

Ludeking then made a motion not to mandate masks. Johnson seconded. After discussion the board decided to negate the motion by voting two yes, two no and one abstaining.

Johnson again voted to table the issue until next month. It also died for lack of a second, and the issue was dismissed. It may or may not be looked at in the future.

Look for more happenings from the board meeting in the Sept. 30 Times Plain Dealer.