The Sedalia School District 200 met during a special meeting on Monday, August 16, to discuss COVID-19 masks regulations for the 2021-22 school year.

The meeting was open to the public to allow students, parents, teachers and community members to comment on a mask-mandate or mask-optional vote. The scheduled one hour meeting, lasted approximately two hours.

During the meeting, the school board allowed 30 minutes for 10 individuals in favor in the optional mask regulation to speak, and allowing another 30 minutes to 10 individuals in favor of a mask mandate for students. Each speaker had three minutes to present their argument.

Many persons in favor of optional-mask wearing stated masks do not work, wearing masks can be compared to child abuse and requiring masks is a violation to student’s constitutional right.

Individuals also compared having a mask mandate to the Japanese-American internment camps and the Auschwitz concentration camp and during World War II. Others said if a mask mandate is put in place their student(s) will be pulled from in-person learning.

On the opposing side, speakers gave their reasoning in favor of a mask mandate for the 2021-22 school year.

He continued…

After hearing the public, the school board voted 6-1 in favor of the mask mandate, effective Wednesday, August 18.

The Sedalia School District 200 Superintendent Steve Triplett said the school board will revisit the topic of face-masks regulations every 30 days.

To view the full meeting, visit Sedalia School District 200’s Youtube channel.