{"id":33521,"date":"2020-11-12T19:36:28","date_gmt":"2020-11-13T01:36:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/?p=33521"},"modified":"2020-12-16T11:07:43","modified_gmt":"2020-12-16T17:07:43","slug":"oklahomas-state-board-of-education-begs-local-school-leaders-to-mandate-masks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/2020\/11\/12\/oklahomas-state-board-of-education-begs-local-school-leaders-to-mandate-masks\/","title":{"rendered":"Oklahoma\u2019s State Board of Education begs local school leaders to mandate masks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Oklahoma\u2019s State Board of Education again passed a motion further encouraging but not requiring school districts to mandate masks in their classrooms.<\/span><\/p>

Citing an explosion of cases of COVID-19 in recent weeks, board members passed the resolution that begs school boards and superintendents to implement mask mandates.<\/span><\/p>

During the meeting, members acknowledged masking is an effective way to limit the spread.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

But, a majority continued to say any decisions about masking need to be made at the local level.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWe do need everyone in this state to take this incredibly seriously,\u201d board member Jennifer Monies said. \u201cAnd we trust that local communities know to do what\u2019s best for their kids and their districts so I appreciate what we\u2019re doing here today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

In July, the board <\/span>voted 4-3<\/span><\/a> to reject <\/span>a thorough plan for reopening <\/span><\/a>\u2013 developed by the State Department of Education and Health staff \u2013 and turn it into simply a recommendation.<\/span><\/p>

But that never meant schools should not take actions like mandating masks themselves, she said.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThere\u2019s frankly been a misunderstanding of what this board did back in July,\u201d Monies said. \u201cAll along we have highly recommended that A. local districts take COVID-19 incredibly seriously and then B. utilize their best judgement knowing their local communities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Nothing the board has done, she and other members argued, downplayed the seriousness of the pandemic.<\/span><\/p>

But board member Carlisha Williams-Bradley said the newest action \u201cseems performative.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI struggle with the purpose of this resolution\u2026 if it doesn\u2019t require action,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>

State schools superintendent Joy Hofmeister said it\u2019s \u201cno secret\u201d that she\u2019d prefer a masking mandate in all school districts. However, this was the best option if a majority of board members won\u2019t vote for one.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThe state board of education implores Oklahoma school boards and district superintendents to require students and staff to wear facemasks on public school campuses, within district vehicles and especially in classrooms or at other large gatherings,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>

Members appear to have the support of Gov. Kevin Stitt and other state officials who continue to refuse to implement a masking mandate despite repeated recommendations from the White House Coronavirus task force.<\/span><\/p>

Doctors and teachers have been calling for a mask mandate in schools since they started in person learning in August.<\/span><\/p>

Oklahoma Education Association President Alicia Priest again panned the move in a statement sent out during the meeting.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThis is a complete lack of leadership with potentially grave consequences for our students, educators, support professionals and communities,\u201d Priest said in a written statement.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Quinton Chandler \/ StateImpact<\/p>\n

An Epic advertisement at an Oklahoma City mall.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Epic update<\/b><\/h3>

In a lengthy presentation, State Department of Education legal counsel Brad Clark said Epic Charter Schools has some serious problems.<\/span><\/p>\n