NACS board member criticized about comment at work session
Ashley Sloboda | The Journal Gazette
A Northwest Allen County Schools board member is under fire for his comment about sexual orientation at a work session last week.
Hours after three board members on Sunday censured Steve Bartkus, the teachers union issued a statement condemning his April 21 remarks.
Bartkus who was reelected to a second, four-year term by 35 votes in November brought up sexual orientation during a work session about COVID-19 protocols, particularly the mask mandate. He framed it as a civil rights issue. Where do parents rights and children s rights come into play here to have a choice? Bartkus said April 21. I think most of these people that are here are not demanding that we take off masks, but they are demanding or asking, Do we have a choice? Women have a choice to have abortions these days, right? People have a choice to be gay or straight these days, right?
NACS votes 3-2 to keep masks on
Board member censured in light of contentious remark
ASHLEY SLOBODA | The Journal Gazette
The Northwest Allen County Schools board reaffirmed its commitment to COVID-19 protocols in a split vote Monday.
Superintendent Chris Himsel seemed eager to move past the issue brought forth by parents seeking mask choice.
“It is simply time to move on,” Himsel said.
Kent Somers, board president, and member Steve Bartkus opposed the resolution Himsel presented about upholding the district s reopening plan, which was originally adopted in July. The resolution passed 3-2.
Somers said the board didn t have adequate time to review the document, noting he received it that afternoon, and Bartkus said the board needed time for discussion.