Nevada R-5 Board of Education hears public comments, reverses mask mandate

Community members gathered Thursday evening in the Ella Maxwell Performing Arts Center to voice their opinions in regards to the Nevada R-5 Board of Education's mask mandate that was voted on the previous week.

Photo by Sarah Haney | Daily Mail Editor

A special meeting of the Nevada R-5 Board of Education was held Thursday evening in response to community outcry for parents to be heard in regards to the two-week mask mandate the board approved last week.

The meeting was held in the Ella Maxwell Performing Arts Center and consisted of a period of 90 minutes for public comment — with a three minute time limit per speaker.

One after one, community members spoke on their opinions of the mask mandate. See more in-depth coverage of what the community members and board members alike had to comment in the Saturday edition of the Nevada Daily Mail.

After the public comment portion, the board then addressed the sole new business item on the agenda: Discussion of Mask Policy for beginning of 2021-2022 school year. For more in-depth coverage of the board member's opinions, see the Saturday edition of the Nevada Daily Mail.

After discussion, board member Jay Sloniker motioned that the district change from mandated masks to "highly recommended" with the 8 percent rule in place — meaning any district building that met an 8 percent absent threshold among students and staff would then have enforced masks, to be reevaluated on a weekly basis.

With a second by board member Monty Smith and then a roll call vote, the board members passed the motion 4-3. Board members voting in favor of the motion were Lois Pendrak, Dr. Jeremy Fast, Monty Smith, and Jay Sloniker. Members opposed were Alyson Harder, Joy Hawks, and Mike McCaffree.