The Wichita Board of Education (BOE), was scheduled to swear in three new members at Monday night’s meeting. However, the meeting was ended, even before it could be called to order, due to non-compliance. The new members refused to wear their masks.
Board president Stan Reeser had asked all members to wear face masks as part of a directive passed on August 23, 2021, which requires everyone over the age of three to wear a face mask in district buildings. After a short pause, the three new members remained unmasked, and Reeser decided to suspend the meeting without calling it into order.
Reeser said the reason was twofold. "Our students and staff have made it clear that they want to be in school to teach and to learn. In order to make this possible, we must follow current health recommendations of public health guidelines. The board of education face mask requirement gives us the greatest chance to have the safest possible teaching and learning environment," he said.
"This is probably the most important" Reeser added. "This district cannot vote on directives, policies and protocols that we expect students, staff and citizens to abide by all while exempting BOE members."
The BOE meeting is expected to be rescheduled, and it will be announced when the new date and time is confirmed.