A large group of parents and students attended the districts’ board meeting Tuesday, Feb., 15 at 6 p.m. to push for an end to the mask mandate in schools. Several parents spoke at the meeting, and many parents expressed that they felt there has too much emphasis on masking.

One parent who spoke said, “This district is on a power chain and needs to listen to us parents.” She then continued on to say, “Our children’s voices do matter. They are done with the masks. They are done being bullied by their teachers. They are done being degraded.”

Following the meeting, Superintendent Kristie Baumgartner issued an all-call to district families, students and staff on Tuesday, Feb. 15 regarding the rejection of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) on the extension of the Illinois emergency regulations for COVID-19 mitigations in schools. This means that students no longer are required to wear a mask. Masks are still recommended while inside the school building, but students and staff get to have their own choice.

Other parents took different angles on the mask mandate. Because of the push parents have made for so long, some did their research. “Masks are medical devices and you are not doctors. You cannot give medical advice. You told me you were following the CDC guidelines. CDC says on the CDC website that they recommend masks; they do not require them,” Kathleen Acker, who has been to four other school board meetings, said. Acker also said, “Masks are more effective at breaking down human beings’ emotional stability and spiritual disability, and it causes them more harm and physical torture.”

A Facebook group, called Alton School District #11 Unmask Our Kids, has 172 members that have been on a mission to fight for their children. Many parents have simply said that they aren’t asking for the ban of masks; they are just asking for a choice. They believe their children have a right to choose, without teachers and other staff members constantly enforcing masking. They respect those who choose to wear one, but expect the same respect back. 

Many parents in attendance at the meeting expressed the same statement, “Whether by choice, or by force, Alton School District will be mask optional.” Some showed up with signs to display to the board members. Because of these parents, Alton School District #11 has joined Collinsville, Belleville, Edwardsville and Bethalto on switching to mask optional. Wednesday morning, parents posted in the Facebook group their children’s smiling faces on the first day of school since the mandate has been lifted. 

“It’s been two years; I think we are done. In my opinion, if the majority of my students in my room wear a mask, then I will wear mine to put them at ease. And if the majority isn´t, then I won’t wear mine,” English teacher Daphne Gvillo said.

Principal Mike Bellm began Wednesday morning with an announcement to students and staff that explained the change in policy as well as encouraged everyone in the school to be respectful of each other’s choice to mask or not.