LTHS Sub Quits For Now, Blames Virus Surge

La Grange IL

16 December, 2021

9:25 AM

Description

LA GRANGE, IL — A Lyons Township High School substitute teacher said this week he has suspended his status with the school, saying the number of unvaccinated and "poorly masked" students is a problem. Joseph Yount, a retired clinical psychologist who lives in La Grange, told the school board he has seen the number of unmasked students increase. "Mask discipline at LT that I have observed while I'm subbing is slipping out of control," said Yount, a 1969 Lyons Township graduate. "This is especially evident to me when students were openly defiant and refusing masking requests the day after the last board meeting. This was a drastic change in student attitudes from great compliance just a few weeks before." He did not say why things may have changed after the board meeting. During the last few meetings, mask foes have spoken out against the state mask mandate, even suggesting the requirement is a sign of approaching Marxism and fascism. Yount cited statistics showing an increasing number of coronavirus cases among Lyons Township students and staff, reflecting a statewide trend. For the two weeks ending Thursday, the school reported 34 coronavirus cases among students and seven among staff. For the four weeks before that, the school saw 14 cases among students and three among staff. According to the school's website, 57 percent of students and 91 percent of staff are vaccinated. "I do not blame the board or the administration for the surge. You've done excellent work to try to keep a safe environment at LT," Young said. "The blame rests squarely on the students and families who refuse to engage in a simple series of measures to protect the health of themselves and the rest of the community." At the same time, he said his wife, Jane Yount, is immunocompromised. "I've been forced to temporarily suspend my sub status because I can't put my family at risk by attending in person until the numbers get better," Yount said. The school board typically does not react to public comments.