Monday, Supt. Jeremy Schmidt reported that he was approached by around a dozen concerned parents during the afternoon before the Becker School Board meeting regarding the issue of masks. He recommended to the board that the schools continue to follow the law and the recommendations of the state to the word: meaning that, if something is required by law, the school will follow that law, and if something is strongly recommended, the school will strongly recommend it. 

Currently, there are only two COVID-19 safety guidelines required of schools. Firstly, anyone using public transportation (school buses) needs to wear face coverings, Secondly, all COVID-19 positive cases need to be reported to the state, either by the school or by the family. The school will continue to require increased sanitation around the schools, including washing and sanitizing hands, and disinfecting the schools. “Unless it’s covered by law or by some type of executive order,” Schmidt said, “I don’t have a lot of interest in policing [it].”

Of course, families and students are welcome to implement any precautions with which they are comfortable, including face masks and vaccinations. 

The schools will also be following their long-standing rule regarding vomiting and fever in students: students must be free of fever or vomiting for 24 hours before they may return to school. 

The board has not yet heard from the Minnesota State High School League on whether masks will be required for sports, and to what extent. 

Open Forum

During open forum, Betsy Armstrong requested that the board make the August 18 work session available for the public to access online. She cited the board’s previously stated commitment to transparency and the necessity of keeping concerned citizens informed and educated about matters concerning the school, including critical race theory and rights of LGBTQ+ students. 

Board member Mark Swanson asked Armstrong if there was a lot of talk about these issues in the community, and she replied that on a community level there were not many in attendance at open forum type events discussing this issue, but it was certainly a hot button topic on a national level. 

On Wednesday, Armstrong emailed this reporter and stated the board had approved her request and the upcoming work session would be streamed online for all to view.

MSBA

Schmidt stated that the Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA) board of assembly will be held in December. The meeting will focus on discussing and approving or disapproving new MSBA policy. Board chair Mark Swanson will again be representing Becker at this meeting. 

In Other Business,the Board:

• Continued to have negotiations regarding teacher contracts;

• Accepted a donation from the PTSA;

• Had the second readings for and approved several policy updates, bringing the school up to MSBA standards.