Ringgold School Board votes to end student face mask policy
By Eric Seiverling
eseiverling@yourmvi.com
Ringgold officials approved the district’s 2021-22 Health and Safety Plan Wednesday, and under the plan’s current version, students will not be required to wear masks for the upcoming school year.
The plan was approved 8-0 by school directors Bill Stein, president, along with Sherrie Garry, Jim Dodd, Carol Flament, Jason Gerard, Gene Kennedy, Larry Mauro and Maureen Ott.
Director Harley Bobnar was absent from the meeting.
The vote came after a number of parents spoke out against a plan that requires students to wear masks.
Parent and nurse Brittany Macioce recently started a petition in an effort to persuade directors to make mask-wearing an optional choice left to students’ parents. She said the petition received 491 signatures in 24 hours.
“Children do not readily acquire or spread this virus,” Macioce said. “We will not sit by for another year.”
With all state-ordered COVID mask mandates scheduled to come to an end Monday, many parents said it’s time to let students and parents make their own choices with regards to masks.
Parent Christine Cox said masks make it easy for other viruses, such as E. coli, diphtheria, Legionnaire’s disease and pneumonia to breed.
“The past school year with masks was a headache, literally,” Cox said. “Masks provide a warm, moist environment for bacteria to grow. On the simplest levels, kids need to see smiles.”
Parent Marcie Allen said two of her three children opted for remote learning due to their inability to wear masks.
She said a student’s progress in school is based on lessons learned in previous school years.
“A lot was lost this year,” she said. “We managed to limp across the finish line. It’s time to get back to living. I can’t believe I’m asking for permission to let my kids breathe.”
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