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NEW WATERFORD -- Crestview students and staff will once again be able to go without a mask at school if they choose to do so starting today.
Superintendent Matthew Manley announced to parents over the weekend the mask mandate put in place last month will be allowed to expire at midnight. After Monday's school board meeting, Manley said the decision came after the number of students and teachers testing positive for COVID-19 have been reduced and the number of required quarantines fell to none.
Whether the improvement is due to the wearing of masks at the school or because numbers are simply falling in the local area, Manley said it is important that the school and students continue to do things in order to try to keep the numbers trending down. Crestview has had 101 cases this school year between staff and students.
Manley also spoke about some criticism the school has received about whether the numbers are being correctly reported. Manley explained that the problem does not rest with the school, which reports any cases to the county health department. The problem is with the company tracing cases that was put in place through the state and reportedly is not keeping up.
At the beginning of the meeting a couple of parents addressed the board about their concerns about masks, including one who claimed it violates religious freedom. Another questioned how students are being spread out in order to eat lunch and why this year is so much different than the way things were done last year.
During his report to the board, the student liaison Kyle Peters said he took an informal poll and students at the high school are mixed about wearing masks, but those who would rather learn at home are mostly those already taking online College Credit Plus classes.
In other matters:
-- As the school prepares to break ground on the new school building, the board approved the issuance of $4.8 million in bonds. The board also went into executive session at the end of Wednesday's board meeting to discuss economic development issues.
-- The board hired Sheriff's Deputy Jesse Smith to provide security for the school this year.
-- The board accepted the resignations of Deborah Stockman, a long-time fifth-grade teacher, who will retire at the end of the school year; and Gary Fieldhouse, a custodian.
-- The board also approved leave of absences for those who have been having health difficulties this year.
-- The next board of education meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 10.