The Indian Prairie School District 204 school board meeting Monday evening did not proceed as planned, as the school board adjourned without taking any action or public comment as some in attendance refused to wear masks.
And while the school board meeting at Naperville School District 203 did ultimately run through its agenda, the board recessed multiple times because some in the audience were not wearing face coverings.
“I know you’re not happy with it, but this is the rule,” Indian Prairie Board President Laurie Donahue told the crowd Monday before the board took a short recess for the first time.
Rather than recess a third time, school board members voted to end the meeting.
“We are adjourned,” Donahue said. Someone in the audience shouted “shame on you” in response.
The Indian Prairie school board will meet Tuesday evening, with Tuesday’s agenda matching the one from one night earlier. The meeting, however, will be virtual.
Donahue could not be reached for comment.
About 5 miles northeast of the Indian Prairie meeting, the District 203 school board recessed three times as well over some in the public not wearing masks properly or at all.
The District 203 audience, however, followed the board rules on masks, as several in attendance wanted to be heard on the district’s decision Sunday to keep its mask policy. Most spoke against the district’s decision.
“What is clear to me is there no point in trying to engage with this administration on mask choice at this point,” said Dan Jurjovec, whose oldest son attends Naperville North High School. “Allowing families to choose what is best for the children is not something you’re willing to do even if a judge rules and issues a ruling voiding the governor’s executive order.”
“Why are you continuing to enforce a mandate that has been ruled null and void? …You have all shown your true colors,” added parent Lisa O’Rear.
Parent Alissa FitzGerald said the mask policy will continue dividing the community.
“Parents do not want to be on the opposing side of our teachers. We want to keep our teachers that we have. We are now more divided than ever and it needs to be a collaborative effort. If the school board and our superintendent refuse to listen to our needs and our wants of our community, do we even need them? We are spending a lot of money to be ignored,” she said.
Naperville North High School teacher Amy Vogelsang was among the minority of people who spoke in support of the district’s decision Monday night. But she said a significant portion of the district community backs their decision.
“I want to thank you for maintaining COVID mitigation strategies in the face of enormous public pressure to pretend the pandemic is over. School should be a safe place to learn and work,” Vogelsang said.
Superintendent Dan Bridges said “none of us” want the temporary restraining order ruling further dividing District 203 even more.
“Let me be clear, I do not and this board does not want to see our students and staff be masked indefinitely,” Bridges said.
He is asking public health authorities to further update criteria guiding schools on COVID-19 measures. District officials are reviewing the return-to-school plan they presented in the summer that reopened schools in person, he said.
“I also intend — in partnership with other superintendents and our advocacy groups — to continue pushing for clearer guidance for schools that will allow us to move more freely and make decisions on a local basis,” he said.