NAPA (KPIX 5) — On Wednesday, Napa School Board members considered a resolution to no longer require students to wear face coverings again, even if state and federal laws mandate masks in the future.
The resolution was brought forward by the See My Smile campaign. He argues that masking should be a choice, but others strongly disagree.
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Napa resident Will Foreman told KPIX 5, “I was angry. I was angry with the idiots who oppose simple measures to protect our fellow citizens.
Foreman was one of the few to attend the Napa Valley Unified School District board meeting in person on Wednesday night.
Many others, however, called the meeting to address their concerns about the masking of children. They say masking has impacted children’s mental health, caused speech delays and claims masks don’t work.
“I believe in everyone’s choice to wear a mask. We ask that you do not force children to wear masks in the future,” said Jeanette Bailey.
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Alexis, who also spoke at the meeting, said: “It should be a choice. It should be a choice for the kids, what we know for the younger ones it should be up to their parents. We are responsible for our children, we should be able to choose whether or not there is a mask on their face.
The school board, however, voted unanimously against the resolution. With the mask mandate no longer in place, the council felt there was no need to put the district in a position to go against state and federal mandates.
“We are a public agency. We have an obligation to obey the law,” board chairman Robin Jankiewicz told KPIX 5. “The consequences if we don’t can have dramatic effects.
These consequences include jeopardizing the financial health of the district.
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Jankiewicz explained, “I think they have to plead with the state because the consequence for us is very different. We cannot assume the financial risk on behalf of 16,000 students.
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