The Crookston School Board held a special meeting Monday morning in the Crookston High School Choir/Orchestra room to approve health and safety measures for the 2021-2022 school year.
The meeting began with a public comment period in which anyone could address the board for up to five minutes on any topic. After the public comment period ended, a resolution was passed approving the health and safety measures for the upcoming school year.
A few people addressed the board, including Crookston Youth Hockey Coach Jason Benoit, who talked about a potential mask mandate being back in place. “I coach hockey, and the effect it has on kids is right on their faces,” said Benoit. “They want to know if I’m smiling or if I’m approving, and a mask doesn’t allow for that. In my opinion, there is no reason to move forward with the masks for kids because they don’t do anything for that age group.” Others also shared their beliefs for and against masks.
There were four levels of safety measures presented to the school board by Crookston Superintendent Jeremy Olson. “We’ve been looking at our data for quite some time and have been in constant communication with Polk County Public Health because we don’t want to make a decision that puts anyone in danger,” said Olson. “We have four levels of options, and we will start in level two, and if things get a lot worse with COVID-19, we can always move up to the next level. This strategy is based on the data is coming out, and this will allow us to be flexible and move.”
The health and safety measures that the school will start with for the upcoming school year will include students and staff masking while on school buses (which is required by the federal government) and elementary students social distancing up to three feet apart. No social distancing will take place at the High School level, and no temperature checks will be required at any level.
Olson will reserve the right to make any decisions not clearly specified by the school district and use professional judgment in making decisions. Olson and School Board Chair Frank Fee will be allowed to discuss if a change in mitigation strategy is needed, and if levels are changed, the school board will be notified, and a meeting will be held within the next three days. This will allow for changes to be made sooner rather than a school board meeting to be set up before any changes can be made.
Olson was clear that this is not something that is set-in-stone and can be changed at any time. “One thing I learned during last year was never say for sure, but our goal is to start at level two and keep our options open,” said Olson. “If the data changes, then we have to make changes.”
