Magnolia School District sets mask policy

CHRIS GILLIAM

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With the start of another school year days away and COVID-19 Delta variant numbers on the rise, the Magnolia School District (effectively immediately) will require students, faculty and others to wear masks.

"Masks give us another tool to keep our kids on campus. I think we should take the opportunity to do anything we can do at the beginning of the year to keep them on campus throughout the year in front of teachers and engaged in instructions. When you look at the number of kids that were quarantined last year, and the number of lost instruction that we had due to quarantines, we need our kids on campus as much as possible for on-site instruction," Superintendent John Ward said Tuesday evening during a special-called board meeting.

The board, with four attending in-person and president Mike Waters connected through Zoom, voted 5-0 to accept a mask policy recommendation entitled Option 4.

It stated that, "Should the COVID-19 positive test rate for Columbia County exceed 8 %, then masks shall be properly worn by all school district employees, students and visitors while inside any school district building, bus, van or other vehicle. This COVID-19 positive test rate shall be determined from the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). Proper wear means covering the mouth and nose with a mask, at all times, except while eating, drinking or taking medication. Masks shall not be neck gaiters or bandanas."

Currently, the Columbia County positivity rate per ADH is 10.7 %. The board agreed to review the numbers and mask policy at each meeting, and make any changes if necessary.

Magnolia physician Dr. Jason Franks, who was invited to address the board, provided some numbers regarding the COVID-19 hospitalizations at Magnolia Regional Medical Center (MRMC) and around the state. He noted that since the beginning of the pandemic from April 1, 2020 through July 28 of this year, there were 164 COVID patients in MRMC; 21 were place on a ventilator; and 15 died. None of the patients placed on a ventilator or who died had the vaccine.

As of Aug. 9, Columbia County have had 2,678 cumulative COVID-19 cases; 106 active cases; 2.513 recovered cases; and 59 deaths.

"According to the Arkansas Hospital Association and as of about June 25, there were 52 open ICU (Intensive Care Unit) beds open in Arkansas. Today, there are 22 open ICU beds and all are in the central part of the state.," said Franks. "Sixty percent of the ventilators in the state are being used by COVID patients and 44 % of ICU beds by COVID patients."

Franks, again going back to June 25, said there were 463 active COVID cases in state hospitals and that numbers swelled to 1,379 as of Aug. 9.

He also shared national Center for Disease Control (CDC) positivity transmission rates with the board. The transmission numbers are considered low, less than 5%; moderate, 58 %; substantial, 8-9 %; and high, greater than 10 %.

Waters told with fellow board members that requiring masks is not a popular decision. He noted that not only are they (board) to provide an education for students, but have an obligation to keep everyone safe and healthy as possible.

"We would not be serving our purpose if we didn't address this issue at this time," said Waters. "I like the option that this policy can be reviewed."

Board member Steven Souter agreed that the top priority should be given to the students, teachers and others on the campus and keeping them safe.

"I don't like wearing masks more than anyone else. I currently wear one all the time because of a personal situation. But it's not about me, but the kids. We've got to have them safe and keep them in school," mentioned Souter.

Board member Lynsandra Curry raised a question about how many students in the district (12 and over) that's already vaccinated.

Ward said he didn't have any accurate overall numbers.

"I know when school ended, we had 153 of the eligible students vaccinated. We've had one vaccine clinic in the past three weeks or so, but I do not know the number of students who participated. Throughout the summer, I also don't know how many of our students received the vaccine," explained the superintendent.

According to Ward, the information can be obtained through a data base. He said it's his understanding that school nurses have access to the data base, and would have to go through and try to identify Magnolia students that's vaccinated.

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