After a lengthy discussion on Monday evening which included substantial public input, the Mitchell School Board voted to approve return-to-school protocols for the upcoming school year. Under those protocols, masking in the Mitchell School District will be optional. The original agenda item had stated that Superintendent Joe Graves would have the authority to adjust the protocols as conditions develop. However, that stipulation was amended to state that the school board would have that authority instead.
“I think the mask issue is clearly the biggest issue, and I think we’re up here for a reason,” said Mitchell School Board member Shawn Ruml. “We’re gonna take the brunt of it whether we pick one way or the other from whoever. I think whatever is decided on that, we have to do because we’re the ones making that decision.”
Public input on the protocols was taken online over the past month. Ruml says the overriding sentiment was that parents, whether in favor of or against a mask mandate, want their children to be protected. He said while he opposes a mandate at this time, he will be willing to reconsider depending on when and if circumstances change.
The protocols can be found here: https://a4767d31-e730-4850-95b5-5ec922bae06e.filesusr.com/ugd/f5fb03_67f88f67a8814fcc8d2bb1dadecb16dd.pdf
School begins on August 18th in the Mitchell School District.