School off to successful start, board discusses mask requirement

SWAN VALLEY – Swan Valley School opened with in-person learning Sept. 8. The school board received an update on the first day of school and discussed the face covering requirement that evening at their monthly board meeting.

Swan Valley School Principal Ralph King said the first day of school was successful. They have 25 students enrolled this year. All of the students returned to in-person learning except four students chose to do half days and four students who are completely remote. They are taking measures to ensure that if they need to switch to 100% remote, they can make a more seamless transition.

King said both buses ran and temperatures were checked before students and staff entered the building.

King said the students were positive about the masks. He said reinforcing mask use will be a simple positive reminder and that wasn’t needed during the first day. Students could remove their masks when outside learning and for physical education.

“It is all about how adults and staff present wearing a mask. If you are positive with whatever situation you are in, and you spread that positive nature, the kids are okay with it,” said King. “I believe we can with appropriately timed breaks throughout the day, I think it is a very doable part of our day with different breaks, PE and lunch.”

King told the board that between the Missoula City-County Health Department, State Board of Health and Governor’s Directive, all the students from kindergarten on up must wear a face covering during school.

The board reviewed clarification documents regarding wearing face coverings in school. Several of the board members agreed that the most recent clarification from the Health Department did not spell out the requirements.

Board member Jimmy Boyd felt the school was making a crucial mistake and families will chose not to send their children to school due to the mask requirement. He felt that the school board should make the best decision for the Swan Valley School and not do something because other agencies tell them they have to but without clear guidance.

Boyd explained that the mask mandate attacks the core subjects. When a student is sitting in their desk and doing their work, they must wear a mask, something no one likes to do. Allowing the removal of the mask at lunch, physical education and recess rewards these activities and further perpetuates the hypocrisy of the face covering requirements.

He suggested the teachers should have the ability to make the decision whether their students needed to wear a mask within their classroom when students cannot maintain social distancing of six feet.

“I look at it like horsemanship. If you make the wrong thing difficult and the right thing easy, that is what you do. We are doing the exact opposite of that right now,” said Boyd. “I believe we have plenty of space to create social distancing so that we can reward academia instead of punishing it.”

Board member Randy Williams agreed with Boyd and doesn’t feel students should have to wear masks. However he is unsure that the school will lose students because of the mask.

Board member Marcia Tapp disagreed. She feels the masks are imperative to protect the health of the students and teachers, the requirement will be short lived and the school must do the prudent thing that scientists recommend by wearing the mask.

“We are a tax supported place. We have to obey the mandates put out by the state, put out by the county because we get the money,” said Tapp. “I 200% support the masks because I don’t want to pass the disease onto you. If you wear a mask you are protecting me. If you don’t wear a mask you are not.”

Chair Nathan Richardson struggles with the inconsistencies presented by the different agencies. He thinks that it is a shame that the students are wearing masks but doesn’t want to stick his neck out and put the school in a bad spot.

The teachers in attendance at the meeting said they have been careful to not give their personal opinion on the masks. They have followed the leadership and direction of King and been respectful of the school board’s decision.

The board decided not to take any further action of changing the current face mask policies.

In other business:

• The board discussed the Series 1900 Board Policy updates/Adoption. They didn’t feel that there was anything that they hadn’t already addressed. The board voted unanimously to reject the Series 1900 Policy. If something new is required they would readdress it.

• The board unanimously voted to hire Liza Ward as the new paraeducator and Summit Parcell as the 21st Century Coordinator for afterschool activities.

The next Swan Valley School Board meeting is scheduled for Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. at the school.