At a forum last night candidates for Abilene ISD school board addressed the questions that linger about mask mandates, even as the pandemic appears to be slowing down.
Reini King said she opposes masks because of the learning setbacks she faced as a mom and seeing her young child go to their first day of kindergarten wearing a mask, “I felt forced to abuse my child, that's the complete honesty. What we've done to kids in the last two years is punishment.”
Jeff Carr declined to give a specific position, saying he would evaluate the situation and information available at the time. Justin Anderson agreed with Carr adding that he would also see what other schools are doing as well.
Billy Enriquez, who voted in favor a mandate last August, said not wearing a mask puts others at risk. Danny Wheat, who also voted yes, said he does not expect mask mandates to continue to be an issue, but says he would want to learn from previous experience and scientific evidence, "What I think is gonna happen is, that we are going to look at our history and we're gonna learn from that; and were going to make good decisions based on what's in front of us.”
Current board member Cindy Earles abstained from voting on the question last fall, due to her beliefs. She says that although she does not wish to mandate masks, it is better than canceling school or moving online.
The candidates also addressed the ongoing staffing issues AISD has struggled with this year. The started this school year with ten teaching positions open. At the end of the fall semester, 23 staff members left their positions.
During last night's forum, many discussed issues contributing to aspects of teacher retention such as discipline. Justin Anderson and Jeff Carr said past and present teachers have told them they do not feel comfortable talking to administrators out of fear of being penalized, "I don't know if that's a breakdown in communication and we earlier said communication is the key. And this break down is killing our school and we've got to fix that."
While Texas does not allow teachers to unionize, Bill Enriquez says teachers need advocates such as a teachers association. Danny Wheat and Reini King advocated working with local universities to further develop teachers. King says that good teachers are leaving out of frustration with the system.
Cindy Earles and others suggested incentives such as help with child care and housing, and one on one conversations with administrators.
Voters will choose Place 4, 5, and 6 AISD school board members on the May 7 ballots.