One parent at the Grand Haven Area Public Schools (GHAPS) school board meeting complained about masks being required during gym class. Here is her speech.
Hello, I do appreciate people that volunteer to be on the board for their time. However, my trust in the board following their own policies in not high.
As parents we have been bringing you issues we are concerned about with facts and evidence. The Board Policy Manual states "The Board has the […] responsibility […] for meeting the desires of the residents.”
At times, we have been censored and slandered. For example, one published agenda said we had 5 minutes to speak but at the meeting we were told the agenda was wrong. A Grand Haven Tribune article said parents were heckling when they were just responding to a bait by a speaker. The previous board president resigned and told the media that he received “significant vitriol”. Where is the proof other than parents showing up voicing their concerns? School board meetings have been illegally changed to earlier times without proper notice on more than two occasions.
Time alone doesn’t gain trust. When parents found books in the libraries with pornographic images, we are told to “trust” those with Masters degrees, credentials, and 30 years of experience. This lack of oversight and blind trust also led to Assistant Superintendent Brian Wheeler being accused of stealing almost $1M. Board policy says “Each member of the Board and each District administrator shall be sufficiently acquainted with the budget […] “ and “The Superintendent is responsible for an accounting of all capital assets to protect the financial investment of the District against catastrophic loss.”
Next, board policy also states “Appointment by the Board to fill a vacancy shall be by a majority vote of the full Board.” However, when scoring the candidates to fill the vacant seat, one member’s score was not counted which would have resulted in a different candidate scoring higher.
Next, masks. I believe masks should be optional for all students and have shared with you the most recent data from the State of MI admitting that mask districts did not prevent covid spread, and may have even contributed to making it worse in some places. We heard from one board member that he is worried the about liability of not mandating masks.
Indoor PE is absolutely dangerous for kids to be wearing masks. I have a son in PE who said that wearing his mask in PE is like having a ring of fire around his face. The principal of the school said that they must wear masks indoors at all times and that they save their “strenuous” PE activities for outdoor; however, the CDC recommends 60 minutes of strenuous exercise a day. In addition, the current “GHAPS Prevention Strategies” form says it is not required in indoor sports. Furthermore, MHSAA recommends that students in active participation due so without a mask. [Quote] “The wearing of face masks in some sports during active participation such as basketball could create safety hazards that have been identified by national medical organizations.” Basketball is one my son reports they play often along with similar ball games. He also reports he gets told constantly to adjust his mask but rarely better techniques on how to play a sport.
What the GHAPS school board is doing goes against their own board policy. It is illegal and it is harming our children.