Board Meeting Called To Hear Parents' Concerns Over Masks

Vestavia Hills AL

09 September, 2021

10:11 PM

Description

VESTAVIA HILLS, AL — The Vestavia Hills school system was one of the last in the state to mandate masks for students and staff on its campuses, and the Board of Education is holding a meeting Sept. 14 to give parents a chance to let their grievances be known. The issue of masks in schools has been a hot topic, and one that has divided the Vestavia Hills community, much like it has in communities throughout the Birmingham metro. Superintendent Todd Freeman made the announcement about the mask mandate last week, and the mandate went into effect Sept. 1. Vestavia Hills City Schools reported that 86 students tested positive for COVID-19 during the week ending Sept. 3. In addition to those testing positive, the system also reported 173 students absent for a close contact. To date, the most absences in a single day for positives this school year was 102 on Thursday, August 26. The most single-day absences for close contact was 274 on Friday, August 27. Prior to the system's face mask requirement but in place Sept. 1, those numbers had decreased to 92 and 213, respectively. The argument from most who oppose the mask mandate comes from mixed statistics from surrounding systems. Mountain Brook, which has a system roughly 60 percent the size of Vestavia's, has reported about the same percentage of students with positive COVID-19 tests, despite mandating masks from the beginning of the school year. However, Hoover City Schools, which is twice the size of Vestavia's system, has a lower percentage of students testing positive, and also mandated masks at the beginning of the year. The meeting is at 8 a.m. at the Central Office of the Board at 1204 Montgomery Highway. The meeting will not be available via live stream.