MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio — Parents of Mayfield City Schools students voiced their opinions on Wednesday night about requiring masks in schools, with the issue dividing the crowd. In the end, the district upheld a decision to mandate masks for all students, staff, teachers and visitors.
“Children admitted to the hospital with COVID are alone, no parent to hold their hand or wipe their tears. When we teach our kids to defy rules made for the common good, we're irreparably squashing their ability to have empathy,” said one parent who was for the mask mandate.
The move to mandate masks in the schools was met with opposition.
“What this mask really is -- is a filthy, bacterial, and viral sweat rag collecting excrement that is meant to be removed from the body,” said another parent who was against the mask mandate.
In a letter to parents on Aug. 20, Superintendent Michael Barnes said during the week of Aug. 16, school officials observed very few students in grades 6-12 wearing face masks.
“This is concerning. Our priorities for this school year are to maintain the health and safety of our school community and continue learning in person, in school, together,” he said in the letter.
The school district went into this school year saying masks were not required before it reversed that decision, making masks mandatory on Monday, Aug. 23.
On Wednesday night, the school board decided to stick with that decision for students of all grades.
According to the Mayfield City Schools website, there are currently 13 students and one staff member with active COVID-19 cases.
RELATED:Strongly recommend vs. required: Face mask debate in local schools heats up
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