LOXLEY – The Baldwin County Board of Education will hold a special meeting Thursday, Aug. 19 to allow parents and other residents to speak on the school system’s requirement to wear masks on county campuses, Superintendent of Education Eddie Tyler said.
On July 29, Tyler ordered that all students older than 7 and all adults in schools wear masks when the school year began Aug. 11.
The decision led to some parents protesting the decision at the July board work session. Tyler said he has heard from people who both support and oppose the mask requirement.
“Over the last few weeks, the Baldwin County Public School System has re-implemented several COVID protocols in an effort to keep our schools open and operating safely,” Tyler said in a letter to parents. “During that time, we have heard from many parents. While the vast majority have been supportive, there are very vocal folks who are unhappy with the requirement of a mask. Some don't think the mask requirement is enough and some have asked about delaying school or closing school as well as reporting and quarantining protocols.”
He said the board will hold the special meeting to allow supporters and opponents a chance to speak on the issue.
“I feel the appropriate forum is in front of the elected officials who are charged with making these decisions,” he said. “To address all of these many different concerns related to our COVID response, the Baldwin County Board of Education will be holding a special meeting Thursday, August 19, at the Loxley Satellite Office Auditorium, to allow the public to speak on the school system's 2021-2022 COVID actions. The board will be allowing an extended comment period and the only items to be discussed are those related to the system's COVID response.”
He said 30 people will be allowed to speak for two minutes each. Speakers will have a chance to sign up starting at 4:30 on the day of the meeting. The board will allow 15 speakers to state why they oppose the mask plan and 15 to say why they support the mandate or who would like the board to take additional steps to slow the spread of COVID-19.
After comments are heard, board members will discuss the school system’s COVID actions and take any additional steps they feel are needed.
Everyone at the meeting must wear a mask and all speakers must live in Baldwin County. Due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements and state fire regulations, space in the auditorium will be limited. The meeting will also be live-streamed on www.bcbe.org.
The regularly scheduled board meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday, August 17, where normal school board business will be transacted. There will be no discussion of COVID and no public speakers will be allowed on that subject at Tuesday's regular meeting to keep the focus on Thursday’s special board meeting.
The regular board meeting will begin at 4:30 on Tuesday, Aug. 17 at the Central Office Satellite at 1091 B Avenue in Loxley.
The special meeting will begin at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 19 at the Central Office Satellite at 1091 B Avenue in Loxley.
The board will hold its first budget hearing Aug. 31 at the Central Office Satellite in Loxley starting at 5 p.m.
