The Wild Rose School Board was met with a group of parents with questions regarding the current COVID mitigations during a Sept. 23 meeting.
Mike Henschel spoke about the recent quarantining of students. He wondered why a student who had a negative test after having close contact with a COVID positive student (person) would have to quarantine for seven days. He suggested the child could be quarantined for five days.
Becky Schubert ques-tioned why students who had been in close contact with a COVID positive person couldn’t wear a mask for 14 days while being in school when other schools supposedly allow it. She also pointed out that her child struggles with having to do her school work online while being at home.
Tara Anderson also spoke to the Board, and questioned why the Board can’t respond to what citizens are speaking about, pointing out she understands that the Board can’t take action on a subject at the time. The response she was given was that the agenda is not set up for the board to respond to what the citizens are speaking about, but the Board will discuss the matter at the appropriate time as listed in priority business.
Anderson insisted on knowing what’s to be done about the cancelled athletic events, asked why unvaccinated kids and teachers have been sent home when they were found to be in close contact with a COVID positive person, while those vaccinated people could stay in school. She felt there was some inconsistency with the school’s protocols. She also asked if the school received funding to provide mitigation procedures. It was pointed out at this time that everyone was struggling with what needs to be done.
After a brief look at enrollment numbers, the Board considered parent transportation contracts, as there usually are a couple every school year. The contracts were approved for Jennifer Hansen, Aimee Lund, and Mr. and Mrs. Brian Doe.
Then came the discussion on the current school year. It was pointed out that all agencies involved recommended that schools needed to follow some COVID protocols, with the highest quarantining being 14 days, 10 if testing positive. District Administrator Craig Hayes addressed all the emails the administration and the Board President had received from parents attacking the school district for its’ practice of COVID protocols.
“The community doesn’t understand what really goes on here and how things are done. There’s been no inconsistency. Everyone is working harder this (school) year than last year just to get through this first month. A lot of students are picking up the virus from someone in the community and bringing it into the school.
Our primary responsibility is to educate the students – we’re here for the kids. It’s not fair to be attacking the school district, people shouldn’t go by what’s said on social media, and don’t really know what’s going on in other schools – there’s miscommunication or misinformation being spread. There are so many people out lately through contact tracing even, that the principals are even cleaning classrooms and serving food in the lunchrooms,” concluded Hayes.
Elementary Principal Matt Wilbert also addressed the situation, recalling all the years he taught, coached, had been the athletic director, and the elementary principal. “We care about the kids. We’re here for the kids, and we do the best we can for them.”
Hayes suggested keeping the protocols the way they are for now, and if the Board wanted to change anything, a special meeting will be needed.
The next Board meetings are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursdays, Oct. 14 and 28.
