EF parents want to end masks

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

Parents in the Elizabeth Forward School District presented the school board with a petition Tuesday calling for an end to mask wearing at school functions and seeking assurance that the mask-free policy will continue into next school year.

The district has already adopted a policy that makes mask-wearing optional starting June 28, but a health and safety plan must be submitted to the state for the 2021-22 school year by the end of July.

“I would hope the district would never again force our kids to wear masks to get an education,” said Brooke Wilson, who has three children in the district. 

She said there are currently no state mandates for masks in schools.

“For our new health and safety plan, we know the decision falls squarely on the shoulders of the board and the superintendent,” Wilson said.

Another parent, Cassandra Williams, said children have been afraid to go outside and were told that the safety of the community was their responsibility.

“We are here tonight to ask that you not tie masking or vaccination to education in the fall,” Williams said. “We are telling you we are done with this. Everyone is in agreement the masks have to come off. 

“Please, when you do your health and safety plan, do not take the money to muzzle our children.”

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