Mitchell School Board Implements Mask Mandate, Crowd Grows Hostile

The Mitchell school board is implementing a mask mandate.  

Several hundred people attended Monday’s board meeting, including many who loudly oppose the decision.  

The board vote was unanimous. Board President Deb Olson says the policy requires masks in all district buildings and buses. 

“I know that each of the board members and the school staff desire that kids receive a quality education and we don't want to see kids out of school because they're sick and whole classrooms, you know, I think last year we saw the effectiveness of wearing masks.” 

 Last year’s mandate was also controversial. Mitchell police hauled a man out of a board meeting last September when he refused to wear a mask.

Josh Klumb is Mitchell’s state senator. He opposes mask mandates. 

"Control your urge to wield your powers over teachers and students in this district. Let everyone make their own decisions." 

Community member Joel Allen says mask mandates are necessary in a pandemic. 

“We are at war.” Says Allen. “And when you’re at war your lives have to change. You’re willing to give up your rights for the common good.” 

Rob Monson is executive director of the School Administrators of South Dakota. He says he feels for school board members who are having to deal with hostile crowds. 

“I think what's unfortunate is that, maybe, the silent majority is out there and haven't come to voice their opinions. Now, whether they're afraid to enter into the fray of the people who are anti-maskers or anti-vaccinators, I don't know, but I’m hopeful that at some point voice of reason comes forward and says, ‘Look, if we want to keep kids in our schools safe, and we want to keep them in school—if it means wearing a mask, then lets put a mask on.’” 

Other school boards are also debating masks. Rapid City’s board decided against a mask mandate,  masks are encouraged in Sioux Falls.  

The Mitchell Daily Republic was at the meeting: