COVID-19 News
Statewide rule urges schools to consider ‘parental rights’ in mask mandates
Published
3 years agoon
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AdminBSSD mask policy to remain in place
By Mira Brody EBS STAFF
HELENA – A new statewide emergency rule is urging school districts to consider “parental rights” over health mandates, pointing specifically to mask wearing. School officials, however, including those in the Big Sky School District, say the law won’t change their requirements.
The rule, issued by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and announced by Gov. Greg Gianforte on Aug. 31, says schools should take into account parents’ concerns over whether or not health-related mandates—masking in particular—are healthy for their children, citing “health, religious, moral, or other fundamental rights reasons.”
“[School districts] should consider, and be able to demonstrate consideration of, parental concerns when adopting a mask mandate,” the rule states.
Dustin Shipman, superintendent for BSSD in Big Sky says this does not change the district’s mask requirement that was voted on and approved by the school board on Aug. 24.
“We reviewed the emergency rule that was issued by the DPHHS and we read the rule as permissive and other school districts are reading it and interpreting it the same way,” Shipman said. “It specifically provides that school districts should consider parental concern and we spent a long time considering parental concern via public comments that lead up to the school board decision.”
The Bozeman School District, which passed its own mask policy on Aug. 23, reacted similarly, stating that its mask requirements will remain in place and are in line with the new emergency rule.
Shipman says since BSSD’s mask mandate was implemented, he hasn’t seen a notable pushback from parents. In addition to mask wearing, district classrooms have cleaning and disinfecting procedures in place, temperature checks at the doors and physical distancing inside buildings.
The emergency rule cites psychosocial health and developmental need, among other concerns, for children with face coverings. EBS received announcement of the emergency rule in an email at 11:42 a.m. on Aug. 31 from Gianforte spokesperson Brooke Stroyke. Fourteen minutes later, Stroyke sent a second email with the subject line, “Research Report: Mask Mandate in Schools.”
The report listed approximately 60 excerpts and links to sources disputing the effectiveness of mask wearing in children. Among other sources, the email included articles from New York Magazine’s Intelligencer, an opinion piece from The Wall Street Journal, tweets from doctors on Twitter, and an excerpt from a 2020 World Health Organization study suggesting children under the age of 5 shouldn’t wear masks.
“Unfortunately, mandating masks for students is based on inconclusive research that fails to prove masks’ effectiveness in reducing the incidence of COVID-19 in the classroom,” Gianforte said in the Aug. 31 statement. “Simply put, our children shouldn’t be subject to arbitrary mask mandates when schools can’t follow the science because there’s a lack of meaningful, reliable research.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended “indoor masking for all individuals age 2 years and older, including students, teachers, staff, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.”
Gallatin City-County Health Officer Lori Christenson said nonpharmaceutical interventions, such as hand washing, wearing masks and staying home when you’re sick, are proven methods of slowing the transmission of viruses, including COVID-19. “We know masks work, we know that they can be effective in reducing transmission, the wellbeing of students and families in the wider community,” she said.
“We want to protect kids and we want to keep kids in school,” Christenson added. “As a public health agency [and] as a public health official, I applaud decisions made by all area schools that have required masks in their schools.”
The temporary emergency rule will remain in place “no longer than 120 days after the date of adoption,” according to the rule.
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Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
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Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
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July 15 (Monday) 6:00 pm - September 23 (Monday) 6:00 pm
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Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description
Event Details
Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description information. Please wear layers, bring water and snacks. Bear spray recommended.
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July 22 (Monday) 9:00 am - September 23 (Monday) 12:00 pm
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Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
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July 22 (Monday) 6:00 pm - September 30 (Monday) 6:00 pm
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Join Santosha, BASE and Gourmet Gals to bring you a donation based all levels community yoga lunch break class every Wednesday throughout the summer. It will be
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Join Santosha, BASE and Gourmet Gals to bring you a donation based all levels community yoga lunch break class every Wednesday throughout the summer. It will be taught by a variety of teachers from Santosha and BASE. This summer all proceeds will go to Big Sky Band-Aid, aside from the first one on the 26th that is happening during Pride week- all funds donated for that class will go to Big Sky OUT. A delicious lunch will also be served by Gourmet Gals following our practice each Wednesday (included in donation). You are welcome to donate with cash at the event or you can Venmo @Santoshabigsky and make a note for Community Yoga. Hope to see you in the Park!
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July 24 (Wednesday) 12:00 pm - September 23 (Monday) 1:00 pm
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Len Hill Park