The Kearney School District Board of Education convened a special meeting Tuesday, August 10, to discuss what the school district will do regarding COVID-19 mitigation measures and in-person learning.

Several parents were at the meeting to give their opinions to the board. President Mark Kelly advised the speakers that the board would listen to all statements without a response.

“Cooperating with masking, social distancing, quarantining and the like is the only path out of the unprecedented times in which we find ourselves,” said Sarah Parrish. She recognizes people will cite personal choice as a reason to not impose a mask mandate, but doesn’t think that reason can be used. “I have faith that this body will act in the best interest of student and community health by implementing a universal mask mandate regardless of vaccination status for students, faculty and staff.

“I’m here not to pressure or persuade you, but simply look at all the facts,” said Megan Lewis. She has been researching health department data and wondered how long will this go on. To Lewis, the infection rate of 0.1% in Clay County is not a cause for panic. “We are being given guidance and recommendations from those who should be trusted, but when you look at the information and question the process, you can’t help but to see things just don’t make sense.”

After the public comment section was concluded, Interim Superintendent Dr. Todd White presented information about the district’s return to school plan. Dr. White’s goal for the school board to consider is to ensure that they have consistent, in-person school attendance for students and staff.

“It is my belief that in order to achieve that goal, we’ll certainly have to continue taking appropriate health measures as we continue to battle the elements of COVID-19,” said White.

Dr. White brought two important changes to the board’s attention before the vote. He also reminded the board that according to the board’s policy, they must follow the guidelines from the Department of Health and Social Services and the local county health department.

The first change involved the reduction of physical distancing from six feet to three feet. This reduction has allowed schools to participate in in-person classes and discontinue hybrid schedules. The second change came from the CDC and involves quarantining in close context. This means that if a person is masked and has come in contact with another masked COVID-19 positive person, the person would not have to quarantine for 10-14 days.

Dr. White’s recommendation to ensure consistent, in-person school attendance for students and staff is to implement an indoor, universal mask mandate for students, staff and visitors. The mandate would remain in effect until Clay County Public Health Department case counts remain in the yellow status (49 per 100,000) for three consecutive weeks.

The board vote ended in a tie 3-3 for a universal mask mandate, with one board member abstaining.

It is unclear if the school board now defaults to the superintendent's decision, which would be to implement masking, or if they go by the Clay County Board of Health's decision, which does not have a mask mandate in place as of Tuesday. The Clay County Board is slated to vote on a county-wide in-person learning policy for schools on Wednesday evening.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story