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Wicomico school board adopts Maryland mask mandate amid opposition

Maddie Aiken
Salisbury Daily Times

Roughly 100 people attended the Wicomico County Board of Education's special meeting Monday night, many to make their voices heard about requiring masks in classrooms.

The meeting, held in the Wicomico High School Auditorium, featured the public portion of the rescheduled Sept. 14 meeting.

The Sept. 14 meeting was postponed after dozens of parents showed up to speak out against the mask mandate and the board's intention to only allow five people into the meeting room at a time during public comment.

Here's what went down at Monday night's meeting.

Board adopts state mask mandate

The Wicomico County Board of Education convenes in a special meeting on Sept. 20 in the Wicomico High School Auditorium.

In a 5-2 vote, the board adopted the Maryland State Board of Education's mask mandate for all public schools in the state.

Board members John Palmer and Tonya Laird Lewis voted against the adoption, garnering cheers from many in attendance.

During his board report, Palmer stressed the importance of parents' involvement and advocacy in all aspects of their children's education.

"I'm hoping that you're going to get involved, I mean really involved, and start pushing the power that you have forward to start changing something in the system," Palmer said, addressing the audience. "You have to remember, our forefathers gave we the people the power to change our futures."

MANDATE:Lawmakers vote to mandate masks in Maryland public schools

SOMERSET:County schools will comply with statewide mask mandate

Superintendent Donna Hanlin announced in August that Wicomico County public schools would require masks indoors for all students, staff and visitors. 

Since Hanlin's announcement, the State Board of Education voted to mandate masks in all public schools. The board's vote was approved by a joint committee in the General Assembly on Sept. 14.

Public comment lasts over an hour

Twenty-five people signed up to speak during public comment, which was held toward the end of the meeting. 

Each person was given three minutes to speak. The majority of those who spoke used their time to discuss the mask mandate, voicing concerns and frustrations.

More:More than 10,000 dead from COVID-19 in Maryland; Gov. Larry Hogan orders flags lowered

More:With COVID-19 numbers in flux, what's the status of Delmarva's hospitals?

Parents specifically cited issues with the effectiveness of masks, lack of parent choice, and the mental and educational impact that masks have on their children.

Parent Anya Petersen told the board that she respects other parents' decisions to mask their children, and wishes more people would respect her preference not to mask her children.

"Parents have rights with their children," Petersen said. "If you fail to listen and accept that, then when it comes time to vote, we will not vote for you."

Only one person spoke in favor of mask requirements during public comment.

Though most of the speakers were parents, two Wicomico teachers and one high school student spoke out against the mandate.

Highlights of superintendent's report

Hanlin's report focused on the district's return to the school year, which she described as "smooth."

Since the start of the school year, there have been 174 positive coronavirus cases in the district.

Hanlin said the district will begin posting case numbers in individual schools on its website in the upcoming days.

MORE:Wicomico school board meeting postponed after dozens show up to protest mask mandate

BACK TO SCHOOL:How Wicomico schools will reopen as COVID spikes

Additionally, Hanlin said the district believes enrollment bounced back this year, though this will not be official until after Sept. 30.

Hanlin added that vaccine clinics are not currently being held on school grounds. When clinics were present on school property in the spring and summer, students were not vaccinated without parents present, she said.

Maddie Aiken covers education for Delmarva Now/The Daily Times. Have a story tip or idea? Send it to her at maiken@delmarvanow.com or on Twitter @madsaiken.

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