MNEA's Response to Mask Mandate

MNEA applauds the MNPS school board members who voted in favor of instituting a mask mandate in schools and on buses. The district's first priority should be to keep students and educators safe. We are grateful for leadership that listens to science and follows the guidelines issued by the medical community. With this policy in place, our hope is the same trends we are seeing in nearby counties with mass quarantines and outbreaks will be prevented.

We urge the district to continue to make decisions based on data and to provide transparency around metrics and policy. As the scientific community releases more information surrounding the COVID-19 variants, we hope MNPS stays vigilant and revisits policy. Though we know that our students need to be in classrooms, we acknowledge that the current situation is dynamic. Therefore, we ask the district to develop a plan should metrics escalate. In addition, consideration needs to be made for allocating ESSER funds to provide paid leave for staff when quarantines occur.

The decision made by the Board of Education today is the first step in a commitment to health safety and will assist in a safe and successful start to the school year.