COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — The Coeur d’Alene Public Schools Board of Trustees voted Monday evening to make mask wearing in schools ‘strongly recommended’ instead of required.
A pair of resolutions passed with a 3-2 vote for each. One resolution applied to students, the other to staff. The new policy goes into effect Wednesday.
In a third resolution, the board voted unanimously to authorize district administration to re-require masks at specific schools if they have outbreaks, using COVID-19 data and public health guidance.
The Panhandle Health District rescinded their mask mandate at the end of March, but the school district's rule was still in place. Protesters argued that the schools shouldn't be forcing their kids to wear masks when the PHD isn't making anyone.
"This area breathes freedom and it needs to remain that way," said Laura Van Voorhees, who demonstrated at Monday's meeting.
The two board members who opposed the resolutions both wanted to keep some type of masking requirement in place, fearing not only COVID spread but that unmasked students who get exposed to COVID would have to quarantine and miss school, regardless of whether they actually get sick.
"We've heard from many, many people that would request that we continue with our masking policies as is right now, who are concerned about upcoming activities and those types of things who want to see us stay the course," said trustee Rebecca Smith.
"I think we're going to risk students missing out on important events in the next five weeks, and I would hate to see that," said trustee Lisa May.
However three members felt it was simply time to end the requirement, fearing the metrics they'd have to meet under the current model are essentially unattainable.
"I feel like we need to move at some point, and I don't think anyone wants to see a continuation of this school year next year," said trustee Casey Morissroe. "For me it's time."
"The social aspect of it, and struggling with reading your teacher's mouth... you can't read your teacher's lips. I just look at all those other impacts and then I weigh against how many cases of COVID we have. And I just really feel compelled, that if we're going to make that move, it's an appropriate time to do that," said trustee Jennifer Brumley. "Now I say that with the caveat of I strongly encourage our students [and staff] to wear their masks."
The three votes were enough to modify the district's policy and make masks "strongly required" in schools until COVID numbers improve, but not "required."