ISD #2184 School Board meets Sept. 16

ISD #2184 School Board
meets Sept. 16 
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF 
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2184, 
ROCK COUNTY, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA.  
An emergency meeting of the Board of Education, ISD #2184, was held in the District Office September 16, 2021, at 8:50 p.m.
The following members were present: Katie Baustian, Jodi Bosch, Eric Hartman, Tim Jarchow, Reva Sehr, Jeff Stratton, and David Wrigg. Also present: Craig Oftedahl, community members, staff members, and Mavis Fodness – Rock County Star Herald.
Chairperson Eric Hartman called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance. Motion by Baustian, second by Sehr, to approve the agenda as presented.  Motion unanimously carried.
Chairperson Hartman introduced action item 4.1 – Recommendation from the Administration as follows: Due to the lack of community support, the Luverne School District is not able to institute the mask mandate at this time. The administration recommends returning to CDC and MDH guidelines effective September 17, 2021. Motion made by Stratton, second by Baustian, to accept this recommendation and to return to CDC and MDH guidelines effective September 17, 2021.
Members Sehr and Wrigg spoke in support of our local medical personnel who are stressed and very concerned about the safety of our students and community.  They expressed disappointment in the misinformation that was being circulated by the public. Member Stratton reminded those in attendance that students and staff may still choose to wear masks. Member Bosch asked those in attendance to be careful with your words and watch what you are posting on social media. Member Sehr expressed concern that we need to show respect for each other and we need to teach our children to respect authority. Member Baustian hopes that we can move forward as a community in a better direction. Members of the School Board and the administration are learning as we go as none of us have lived through a pandemic before. Member Wrigg reminded those in attendance that the School Board cannot hold secret meetings as has been alluded to by some community members. He also noted that the Incident Command Team helped us and guided us through all of last school year. He applauded the teaching staff and reminded everyone that we need to respect authority and we need to help the administration. Member Hartman stated he has had the most pride in our facilities and how our community rallies around the education of our students. He hopes the community can get back to working together.  It was noted that if CDC or Minnesota Department of Health guidelines and recommendations change, our stance on masks may change as well. It was also noted that federal mandates are still in effect for everyone to wear a mask on school buses and in school vehicles.
The motion was adopted by unanimous vote.
Motion made by Bosch, second by Wrigg, to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously carried.
Dated: September 16, 2021 Reva Sehr, Clerk
(09-30)