Pixabay/NJ requires students, teachers to wear masks in school.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE The Board of Education Wednesday, Oct. 7 passed a resolution requesting that Gov. Phil Murphy allow local boards of education to decide if masking children is right for their students. It also agreed to increase the daily rate for substitute teachers.
The board increased the daily rate for substitute teachers from $90 to $125 per day starting Oct. 7.
According to Superintendent Audrey Becker the increase would help the district obtain substitute teachers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
We are facing a lot of challenges daily with the pandemic, Becker said. We are fortunate to have the facilities and space we have to keep our children in-person all-day, every day both last year and this year.
Obtaining substitute teachers to cover for illnesses and quarantines has been a challenge for the district, she said. Increasing the sub rate will bring the district in line with rates paid in other districts.
During its September meeting, the board fielded comments from several parents who do not believe children should have to wear masks in school.
Solicitor Eric Goldstein presented the board with a resolution that asks the governor and the NJ Department of Education to make optional the provisions in Murphy's Executive Order that require students to wear masks in school.
On Aug. 6, the governor announced that all students, staff and visitors would be required to wear face masks indoors for the start of the 2021-2022 school year as a result of the increasing presence of the COVID-19 Delta variant. The move would allow all schools to offer in-person learning following last year's pandemic which saw many students learning remotely.
Margate school district was the only school district in Atlantic County to offer a full-year of half-day, in-person learning, with all students and staff wearing masks and socially distancing.
Parents said the mask mandate is unconstitutional, against their religion and a detriment to their child's health.
In presenting the resolution, Goldstein said that Margate is uniquely situated to decide if mask-wearing is necessary because the district has fewer students in its classrooms. The resolution requests masks be made optional.
The board heard what the public had to say and thought it would be wise, not to get rid of masks and not be pro- or anti-mask, but allow an independence in choice as to a parent or individual who wants to send their kids to school with or without a mask, he said.
He said mask-wearing should be a choice for parents and teachers guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution, but that it is likely the resolution would just be put in a pile with other similar resolutions. Nevertheless, it shows the board has been pro-active in listening to what the community has to say.
The board passed the resolution with a vote of 5-2.
Board member Amy Brog voted against it stating mask-wearing is meant to protect other students.
Board member Jim Swift said if a student came to school unmasked with COVID-19, the district could be exposing other students to getting sick. He suggested revisiting the resolution when COVID wanes.
I don't want to take the risk, he said voting against the resolution.
All this is asking is the governor to allow Margate to make its own decision, Board President Cathy Horn said.
A second vote would need to be held to make the decision locally, she said.
Resident Diane Shapiro said although several parents complained about the mask mandate, the entire community has not been heard on the issue.
By allowing that to move through, you are saying that is what Margate wants and I do not believe the entirety of Margate has been heard, she said.
Resident Art Cotilli said it could be difficult for pre-kindergarteners and kindergarteners to keep their masks on, but administrators said that does not seem to be a problem.
Our children are really wonderful, they are doing great, Becker said.
Board member Jack Sorensen said the board would not do anything to jeopardize one student in our system.
We're here to serve you, but we're here to protect your kids, and that's the most important thing, he said. Be assured, we will do everything that is best for your children. That's what we are here for.
In other business, the board held an executive session to discuss personnel negotiations but took no action.
Margate Education Association President Sherry Scott said the district has had a tentative agreement since June but that an agreement has yet to be approved by the board.
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