Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees Special Meeting

Mrs. Freeman led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The meeting was called to order at 4:31 p.m.

Mrs. Walls made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented, Mr. Gray seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.

Dr. Parker called on Mr. Smedley to give an update to the Health and Safety Plan.  

Dr. Dan Stock stated that people do things that are not useful, as well as getting their guidance and information from the Indiana Department of Health and the CDC, who do not bother to read science. Dr. Stock stated he is a functional family medicine physician who is specially trained in immunology and inflammation regulation. He claimed everything being recommended by the CDC and the IDOH are contrary to all the rules of science. Dr. Stock gave information on respiratory viruses and the fact that these particles can go through any mask worn by an individual. A flash drive was provided containing three studies sponsored by the NIH quoting that exact fact, even though that ignores the very science they paid to have done. He stated we cannot make this virus go away and the history of all respiratory viruses is that they circulate all year long waiting for the immune system to get sick through the winter and then cause symptomatic disease. He stated vaccination changes none of this and nothing can be done for this as much the same as the common cold, influenza, or a respiratory virus. He presented there is no reason to do anything different for any individual vaccinated or unvaccinated and that no vaccine ever stops infection.

Haile Loring is a parent of three children. She is concerned about her children being forced out of school without adequate academic help. She stated according to the CDC and the IDOH there have been zero deaths reported in children from 0 to 17. She felt it was her job to be a voice for the children for them to be given the educational opportunities they deserve and the corporation's job is to provide those resources because the tax payers are paying the corporation to do just that. She was concerned about the long term social and emotional consequences masking and quarantining is going to cause.

Amanda Steele is a parent and healthcare worker. She voiced the virus has turned into something political. She was concerned about masks affecting the children's breathing and the side effects associated with wearing a mask. She felt the rate is so low for children to even contract the virus. She had no faith that the testing being done is even accurate. She stated that in clinical trials, follow up testing and labs are done; however, this will not be the same with the vaccine and no one knows the long term outcome. 

Janet Smith is a citizen of our community.  She stated the CDC does not make laws and that they only provide guidance; however, they are not consistent. She felt since there is no mask mandate; the parents should be able to choose if their children wear masks or not.  She felt the the School Board should listen to those parents who are involved and who elected them, as opposed to CDC guidance that is ever changing.

Traci Dayhoff is a parent of four students. She voiced concerned about the current virtual learning plan, as well as antibody testing. She stated students are counted absent and teachers can post assignments if they wish, but they don't have to. The students are not receiving any instruction, but might get some busy work. Some of the teachers she stated did not even respond. She stated one of her children was quarantined three times last year and out over 30 days, but never had so much as a cold, but at least last year, virtual learning was an option. She felt keeping her student home for ten days is considered neglect; however, the school corporation can send the student home for as much with no learning and that is fine. She felt if a student is contact traced, there should be the option of testing for antibodies and if they do, that is one less student who needs to be quarantined.

Brooke Jones is a parent of three students. She has served on the MES PTO and helped with the MVEF Gala. She appreciates the feeling of family associated with being a part of Mt. Vernon. She feels right now the parents are the ones who need to be heard. She wants to advocate for a no mask policy. She claimed there are 287 schools in Indiana who do not contact trace and they are still open. She also read emails from the executive assistant to the secretary of education at the Indiana Health Department and from John Jessup, the Hancock County Commissioner. She felt the corporation should be brave and stand against the policies we have been advised to put in place.

Kelli Leonard is a parent. She wanted to talk on points brought up at the July board meeting concerning the vaccination rate for Hancock County and the difference in statistics with the CDC. She questioned the PCR testing that had been done at the end of the previous school year. She felt that the corporation should not be listening to the CDC, as they are all over the place, and that they should be listening instead to the parents. She questioned how far back contact tracing would be done and concerns with her student being able to participate in athletics.

Cindy Cobb is a parent. She voiced concerns about her child who was contact traced and being at home with no instruction. She felt he was being discriminated against. She has always been a strong supporter of Mt. Vernon. She stated her child sat in quarantine at school for two hours and was not contacted by the school, but by her child. She claimed the procedures are not working this year. She said she entered the school with no one questioning her and no one asking her for identification. She had not heard from some of her child's teachers on schoolwork. She was concerned about student's mental health with being in quarantine. She hoped that the events that occurred at the school with her student will cause a change in how the corporation handles things moving forward.

Phillip Coleman is a parent. He did not want to speak against masks or contact tracing, but was concerned about the amount of money we spend on technology and children are being sent home with no resources. He felt  most students will not be able to catch up after their quarantine period.  He also brought up that last year not a single child contracted Covid after being contact traced. He felt kids are being left behind by being forced home without resources. He agreed that teachers are overworked and do a great job; however, it is their responsibility to put in the extra work to provide the necessary resources. 

Mrs. Walls made a motion to adjourn at 5:48 p.m., Mr. May seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.