State Board of Education gets comments on school masks, including from Central Springs school board member

DES MOINES — Several parents and educators spoke during the State Board of Education meeting Thursday, asking the board to pressure state lawmakers to reverse course and allow schools to require masks in classrooms.

Central Springs school board member Jean Schilling says the law against mask mandates in schools was passed in May before the C-D-C began warning against the coronavirus delta variant. “Please encourage the governor to allow local school districts to follow local public health recommendations to keep kids safe.” Schilling said.

Linda Reddy is the mother of an 8th grader and two elementary students in West Des Moines. “My children were online last year. My younger two have severe asthma. It is not a choice right now for us to be online. All I’m asking is that they’re given a chance at education like all the other children have,” Reddy says. Reddy’s children can wear masks if they want — but other students are not required to wear masks around them.

The Board of Education did not discuss the issue because it was not on their meeting agenda.

Governor Reynolds said earlier this week that students can return to class safely.