The minutes from the February meeting were not approved at the March meeting due to an issue with the minutes. This issue will be discussed in the interim, and the unapproved minutes will be up for approval as soon as possible.

Shannon

Many teachers will continue to wear masks if the mandate is lifting. Some teachers are very anxious, and some teachers feel that masks limit communication with students. Teachers want to watch the science.

Students

Safety is the most important component. We need to protect our most vulnerable student populations. COVID cases are on the rise, and the experts say that masks work. Mask mandates can be looked at like peanut allergies—not every school is peanut free, but PVPA is because giving up something simple is worth it for to keep students safe.

It is not time to remove the mandate, nor is it the time to make a decision about the date for mandate removal. Cases are up, and the new variant is prevalent among those cases. Removing the mask mandate at some point this year may make sense, but we should not set a date to remove the mandate before we are aware of the environment at the time of the removal.

The sample data that Brent shared shows that cases are rising. We need to maintain the mask mandate until the data suggests that we are in the clear to do so.

Andrea

In my time on this Board, it has always been important for us to listen to the community. The question is of our culture and what we value. It is important to listen to the voices of the community. We need to keep in mind that it is okay for PVPA to have a culture that is different from those around us.

Jesse

Thank you to the school community for everything that they have done to ensure safety.

Neil

The numbers that stood out to me most were the number of students, staff, and parents who did not respond. It seems that much of the community is somewhere in the middle on the issue.

Shino

When the survey was shared, the largest group indicated that a removal date by May first would be reasonable. Keeping the mandate after the break is necessary to ensure that we are looking at the progression of the data.

David

Thank you to everybody who has shared. My thought is that dictating a date right now feels unwise. Instead, I propose that we put the decision entirely within the hands of the administration.

Maggie

I appreciate the perspectives of everybody who has made a comment and recognize that PVPA is a unique community. My question for Brent is, are you comfortable with having this decision rest in your hands?

Brent

I think that the administration has done a good job making decisions so far. Making these decisions comes with a lot of feelings from the school community, and I am expecting to receive a lot of communication if I am forced to make an unpopular decision. I believe that, at this point in time, it will be clear when a decision should be made and not particularly onerous to myself or the administration. Removing masks too soon may cause students to stray from other guidelines that have been keeping the community safe.

Neil

My motion was for, beginning on the second of May, the administration to have full authority to make a decision about masking. The administration would not have to move to optional if conditions do not allow for a safe return to a mask-optional school.

Andrea

Proposes an amendment to keep the mask mandate until May second, at which point the administration has the authority to determine whether PVPA remains mask required or moves to mask optional.

Jesse

I am confused about this motion. Is this saying that the administration may take any action to maintain or change COVID safety protocols after May second?

Brent

Yes, all safety protocols including mask mandates.

Sofia

Maintaining continuity in decision making is important. Keeping this decision with the Board is a good way to ensure that all members of the community are giving feedback in real time. The school administration is more than capable of making good decisions for students, but this decision should remain within this body.

Maggie

How have policies progressed so far? Have they been in the hands of the administration or the Board?

Brent

All COVID health and safety protocols have been decided upon by the administration. Most were also all federally mandates, and those that were not were based on recommendations from public health bodies.

RECESS (5 minutes) - 7:55 - 8:00

Shannon

If this motion carries and we do consider the motion in May, we should bring specific data to support whatever decision will be made at the May meeting.

Maggie

My position on this issue is not particularly driven by data about what is safe at a population level. I am not making a decision as a public health individual. I am making a decision based on what students have shared during the past two meetings. These students want to prioritize keeping students safe, and I find that very compelling.

Andrea

I agree with what Maggie is saying. I am also in favor of handing this decision to the administration so that they can consider the data and make decisions in real time. Considering these issues on a monthly schedule seems like a slow process. These decisions, from my perspectives, should be made at an administrative level.

Mindi

We need to keep in mind that, when we are dealing with PVPA, we are dealing with a non-traditional system. Student safety should be our number one priority—if our students are telling us that they feel safer with masks, we should realize that we are hearing this because of the nature of our school district. 

Firas

We should approve this motion to avoid a continuation of our undecided monthly meetings.