As a 9-R Board of Education member, I was part of the Aug. 12 unanimous vote requiring the wearing of masks inside school buildings.
I did not cast my vote for personal gain, compensation, control, or as part of any partisan agenda. I voted for public safety, supported by science and the aligned federal/state/local recommendations to require mask use indoors as part of a COVID-19 mitigation strategy.
At two recent 9-R events, I have been saddened and sickened by disrespectful behavior leveled at anyone supporting this recommendation. As board members and 9-R administrators were threatened, interrupted and heckled, others waived signs with divisive messages – including one with devil horns drawn on a photograph of our new superintendent. A student was booed after sharing their pro-mask perspective.
This behavior must stop. We have lost sight of our common goal: kids in classrooms, learning in-person. We have also forgotten that we have a common enemy – and it is not each other, it is the coronavirus. Energy spent disrespecting local leaders and decision-makers does not help kids learn or improve test scores.
The conversation needs to continue, however the dialogue must change starting now, by redirecting this negative energy toward educating our youths. Respect is a two-way street, regardless of agreement. I will show you respect and tolerate nothing but the same in return while making decisions aimed at making our community safe. As the 2021-22 school year commences, let’s stop tearing each other down and tackle the real enemy together.
Andrea Parmenter
Durango
