Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 school board voted to extend the current mask mandate and other COVID mitigation efforts.
The current mitigation efforts in place include optional mask wearing at the two Manhattan High School campuses and other buildings not populated with students. Masks are still required for the elementary and middle school buildings.
Superintendent Dr. Marvin Wade brought a recommendation to keep the current mitigation efforts in place until January 21st.
Some of the reasons include increased number of positive cases post-Thanksgiving, and the presence of a new variant in the US.
Wade says there is the possibility to make changes at the January 5th meeting in the event of a major change in COVID metrics or variants. The board will re-valuate the plan on January 19th with the proposed end date on the 21st.
The motion passed 4-1, with Board member Darell Edie as the lone opposing vote.The plan remains unchanged from the version approved back in November.
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The board also looked at a land acknowledgement proposed by Board President Jurdene Coleman. If approved, the proposal would have the district acknowledge that the Kanza, or Kaw Nation, were moved off their land, where USD 383 now stands.
However, the board was split in the decision to move forward. There were concerns from both board members and some members of the public on the historical accuracy of the statement and the potential division.
Board Vice President Kristen Brighton motioned to table the discussion for a later time. The vote was split 3 to 3, causing the motion to fail. Board Member Katrina Lewison was not present at the meeting, which led to a split vote.
