(WBBM NEWSRADIO) —A north suburban school board gathered information and opinions Monday as it prepares to determine a masking policy.
The Wilmette District 39 school district was not named in a downstate lawsuit in which a Sangamon County judge ruled Governor Pritzker’s school mask mandate illegal.
Monday, the district’s lawyer spelled out legal options for the board and possible liabilities should the board decide to go mask-optional and someone challenges it in court.
District Supt. Kari Cremascoli laid out a step-by-step COVID mitigation plan for when the board decides it’s time to go mask-optional.
“A mask-optional environment is coming. Mask-optional schools are thankfully on the horizon as we continue to make progress relative to the pandemic,” she said.
The superintendent only asked the board for a couple of days notice before putting a mask-optional plan in effect so that her staff can prepare at the district’s four elementary, one middle and one junior high school.
The board could make a decision at its board meeting next Tuesday.
Parent Daniel Lenington says the board should follow the data. He identified himself as an actuary, someone who assesses risk for a living. He said while he personally is against mask mandates, the data shows that masks work.
“I think a child learning in a mask is better than a child having to learn over Zoom,” he said.
Parent Anna Hedges’ voice cracked as she recalled how her daughter asked her what her teacher’s face looks like.
Another parent was more accusatory and alleged the board was doubling down and just looking for a way to continue forced mask-wearing.
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