Albeit under protest, the Vandalia School Board approved abiding by the state’s mask mandate beginning on Monday. In a special meeting Thursday evening, the Vandalia School Board heard from citizens and also gave statements themselves for about 45 minutes before going into closed session for about 50 minutes and emerging with their decision. Among those to address the Vandalia School Board was Holy Cross Lutheran Church Pastor Michael Mohr, who thanked the board for their service to the community and for all the tough decisions they have had to make over the past 18 months.
But, Pastor Mohr says sometimes you have to call out those in charge, meaning in this case the state.
Jason Hagy read a statement from his son, Vandalia High School Junior Matthew Hagy on the possibility of losing post-season sports if the mask mandate was not followed.
Vandalia Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Garrison gave a statement as both administrator and parent. She says she believed they were able to tell their story of their mitigation plan for the first time on Wednesday to the Illinois State Board of Education.
But, Dr. Garrison points out there is just too much piling up around the district at this time to continue without the mandate.
There were many other speakers that addressed the board. Many want to continue to see the district fight against the mask mandate and some of the board commented as did Dr. Garrison that they will continue to fight this decision. It was also pointed out for folks to “put down their pitchforks” and to make this fight a unified effort as a community going forward. Board members Ryan Lewis, Joe Lawson, Therese Tate, Kevin Satterthwaite, Joe Schaal and Adam Braun all voted yes with board member John Campbell voting no. Board members Lawson, Satterthwaite and Schaal also said their yes vote was under protest. The board was faced with not only the Illinois State Board of Education placing the board on probation and the possibility of losing funding and accreditation in the near future, but both the IESA and IHSA said this week any school on probation and not abiding by the mask mandate would not be able to participate in post-season sports. And, as Dr. Garrison pointed out the loss of health assistance as well.
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