Citing hypocrisy, contradicting policies, and a lack of listening to families, three concerned parents aired their grievances about the mask requirement at Daviess County Public Schools during Thursday’s Board of Education meeting.
Jason Doss said he had an unpleasant encounter at Apollo High School Thursday morning when he went to pick up his son due to the incident that occurred. Doss said he was told he had to wear a mask, but said he noticed four or five employees “had their mask pulled down below their nose.”
He said he questioned why it was ok for the employees to wear the masks like that before he was then “told to leave in a very rude way.”
Similarly, Doss said he saw a double standard during the board meeting itself. He noted that some board members did not have masks on while talking to each other before the meeting, and they also did not have them on while taking pictures as they recognized staff members for awards.
“I don’t fault y’all for that,” he said. “But this is what the schoolchildren are forbidden from doing on a daily basis.”
He noted that he understands DCPS is required to abide by the current mask mandate from the Kentucky Board of Education but asked if he could be provided with “the scientific studies that they send you guys to collaborate these mask mandates.”
“I just want to point out the hypocrisy of it. … I’d like to see a justification why children are wearing them, but not adults,” he said.
Rob Schell, who has two students in DCPS schools, said he was upset because he thinks requiring a mask isn’t following the motto of “Kids First.”
“I don’t think the Daviess County school system has put the kids first,” he said. “They put the adults first in the school, the teachers first, the staff first. … There hasn’t been anybody even asking the parents how they feel about this. They don’t ask the kids about it. Why do you say kids are first when kids’ opinions come last?”
Schell said one of his children had anxiety last year from doing work on the computer. He also said that his son “didn’t know who his teachers were because he couldn’t recognize their faces.” recognize his teachers because the mask covers their faces.
Schell also noted that he knows DCPS is following the KBE requirement to wear masks.
David Schaefer echoed much of what Doss and Schell said.
“The goal is to put kids first and to give our children a chance to learn, grow, evolve,” he said. “My request is to move the choice back to the parents to make the best decision for their family and for the children. That should be taken into consideration with the fact that the requirements and the recommendations from the CDC Center, etc. have been moving. Science doesn’t move. It gets proven, disproven. But it doesn’t move to address a narrative.”
He said what is proven is the “negative impact of masks.”
“The studies are abundant. I’ve read a lot of them. It’s pretty sad.”
He also said that if the masks work, it doesn’t make sense to have quarantine policies for those who mask but are exposed.
“Don’t have policies that contradict other policies,” he said. “I know you guys are between a rock and a hard place, but I’m here to be a voice for my children. I’m asking you to be our voice for our children.”
Per their policy, board members were not allowed to respond during the public comments section. However, they can address those concerns at a later date.
During the business portion of their meeting, the board voted to lower the real property tax rate from 71.5 to 71 cents per $100 of value for real property while leaving the personal property rate at 71.5 cents.
Sara Harley, DCPS director of finance, previously said even with the .5 cent decrease, the rate would generate more tax revenue than the previous year because the assessed property value of homes in the county has risen.
The rate is expected to bring in approximately $44 million, which would be about a $1.8 million increase.
They also approved the 2021-22 facility rental contract with Cliff Hagan Boys and Girls Club; a revision of the board member voter precincts; and revised 2021-22 salary schedules.
The board also heard a presentation from Dr. Deanna D. Ashby, with Studer Education and the organization partnership with DCPS to develop a strategic learning plan. The multi-step plan is already underway, with the ultimate goal to have a finalized plan to present by June 2022.
The board recognized the following individuals for their various awards and recognitions:
- Carrie Munsey – KAPE Excellence in Leadership Award
- Daniel Lyne – KASA Fred Award
- DCPS Kids First Award winners
- Elementary Teacher of the Year — Sally Tingle
- Middle School Teacher of the Year — Jill Pate
- High School Teacher of the Year — Jonathan Leohr
- Support Professional — Sherri Boehman
- Customer Service Award — Wendi Kozel, RN
The board approved the following items on the consent agenda:
- Consider Approval of Leaves of Absence
- Consider Approval of Emergency Certification
- Consider Approval of School Fundraisers
- Consider Approval of the August 24, 2021 Board Meeting Minutes
- Consider Approval to Declare Property as Surplus
- Consider Approval of 2020-21 Transportation Cost Report
- Consider Approval of Non-Resident Contracts for the 2022-2023 School Year (DCPS contracts to be sent to surrounding districts)
- Consider Approval of Non-Resident Contracts for the 2022-2023 School Year (contracts from surrounding districts)
- Consider Approval of Revised Non-Resident Contracts for the 2021-2022 School Year (Barron County Contract)
- Consider Approval of MOA for Hearing Impaired Services Between Daviess County Board of Education, Webster County Schools, and Owensboro Public Schools
