The wife of the Northwest Allen County Schools board president is urging parents to keep their children home on fall count day in an attempt to cost t .
Editorial
NACS dustup reminder of election consequences
It was an odd remark, delivered amid unnecessary and ultimately fruitless debate over wearing masks at Northwest Allen County Schools.
Board member Steve Bartkus, siding with parents who believe mask-wearing should be optional inside school district buildings, presented analogies he thought fit the situation.
“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? ” he said during a meeting last week. “Women have a choice to have abortions these days, right? People have a choice to be gay or straight these days, right?”
What started as a debate over mask mandates in schools led to a backlash from the LGBTQ+ community following a board members comments. Groups of students, parents and residents brought various signs showing support for their causes on April 27, 2021. ELLA ABBOTT / WBOI
The Northeast Allen County Board passed a resolution to continue with its original reopening plan from July Monday amid continued tensions over masks.
The board heard nearly three hours of public comments from parents, students and residents during the meeting. The resolution, however, was approved before those comments began.
The resolution grants the superintendent powers to continue the original reopening plans through the first semester of the 2021-2022 school year. It also stipulates that the superintendent can update the plans to comply with any new guidance or mandates;
Door open for NACS to use masks next year
Superintendent can update plan
ASHLEY SLOBODA | The Journal Gazette
The Northwest Allen County Schools board s vote reaffirming its commitment to COVID-19 protocols applies through the first semester of next academic year.
The resolution, which passed 3-2 Monday, also notes the superintendent is authorized to update the plans as needed to comply with any subsequent mandate or requirement imposed by local, state or federal officials.
Changes could include looser restrictions, depending on local or state conditions and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the American Academy of Pediatrics, according to the resolution.
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?