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March 3, 2022 - The Liberty Broadcast
26:06
ASID School Board Meeting - Mask Mandate
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Time Text
Well,
30. We will
now reconvene the open meeting at 8:00 p.m.
And before I recognize Dr. Elizade, I just wanted to thank publicly Dr. Desmar Wachs with Austin Public Health who joined us in our executive session and she had some other commitments.
We want to thank her for her information and guidance on COVID-19.
Dr. Elizade?
Thank you, President Rodriguez and members of the board.
I do have an update that I'd like to share regarding recent CDC guidelines.
The pandemic in March of 2020 required us to take unprecedented universal actions, including closing schools.
Since then, we've continued to be focused on the health and safety of our entire community.
and in keeping our students in schools where they learn best.
We have learned more about the COVID virus and we also learned that masks work along with our layered protocols.
These layered protocols effectively got us through Delta and Omicron and for that to our entire community we are eternally thankful.
Our COVID numbers have significantly decreased to a level that today are only measurable to the thousandth TH of a percent, to be exact.007% for this past week.
During this public health crisis, we have always followed the guidance from public health experts.
Today, we know that we can provide more localized protocols based on more community-specific data.
As we move into the next phase of the pandemic, we will continue to listen to our public health experts.
And as such, we acknowledge that the CDC no longer recommends universal indoor mask wearing in K-12 schools and early education settings.
In areas designated with a low or medium COVID-19 community level.
Travis County is currently designated as a low level.
They also recommend and we support that we stay up to date with COVID vaccines and continue to get tested when symptomatic.
While we initiated a survey regarding masks, we did so prior to the CDC's new guidelines.
Survey data is never intended to designate a vote, but rather to inform us and it continues to do so regarding our community's thoughts and expectations.
We will abide by the CDC's recommendations beginning Monday, March 7th.
As always, please keep in mind that the fluidity of this pandemic may require that we reinstate a masking requirement.
And maybe more importantly, we are Austin.
We respect each other's differences.
Let us all support each other, masked or unmasked.
A great relationship is about two things.
First, appreciating the similarities, and second, respecting the differences.
Thank you.
Thank you, Dr. DeSalde, for your leadership.
We also want to thank our community.
And I also want to say to our board colleagues that-- another thanks as well.
From day one, we have worked as a team of 10 with Dr. DeSalde and focused on health, safety, and learning of our students, teachers, and staff.
And we will continue to do so.
With that, Secretary Singh, do I have a motion to adjourn the meeting?
Second.
Is there a second?
Second.
Having a motion by Secretary Singh and a second by Trustee Anderson to adjourn.
All those in favor, please raise your right hand.
And the motion passes by all those on the dais.
This meeting is now adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Thank you.
I'm going to get arrested today.
Do you guys know when you'll be open for a public in-person comment?
I haven't seen it on the agenda anywhere or anything.
We do provide a public in-person comment at our regular board meetings.
I was told that there hasn't been.
This is not a regular board meeting.
No, yeah, but the previous board meetings I watched, I don't see any.
No one has signed up yet.
No one has signed up yet.
I didn't even know this.
Do you know why they're deciding to wait?
When can we comment about that?
Because Joe Biden was in a huge group, head-butting people, and yet we still have to mask.
You look it up.
I didn't believe it either.
But I'm just saying, you know, they should just end it now.
The CDC said it's fine, right?
So, I don't understand why.
It just doesn't happen immediately.
And I wouldn't be able to comment on that, but I can give you info on our public comments and when you can sign up.
When can we comment on that?
Is there any place where parents can comment about it?
So, on March 10th.
Although we only have online public comments.
Yeah, so that's what I mean.
When will that be done?
When can parents come in here and publicly comment directly to the board?
So in regular board meetings.
So you can do that?
Yeah, we allow in-person comments for agenda items.
Okay, and will there be an agenda item regarding mask at that time?
Or any time?
I can't tell you with 100% certainty because the agenda is not posted.
But it is possible that the board is looking to pass a resolution to ratify the removal of masks.
I'm just wondering when the public can actually comment on it, on the mask, you know, pulling the mask mandate and deciding on the date, like, why weren't parents or...
So at March 10th, anyone can speak about anything they want.
We have 60 spots for public comment.
They can be on any topic you want.
On March 10th?
On March 10th.
What time?
But it is recorded messages only for the info section.
So I don't understand that.
Sure.
So you would call in and you would leave a voicemail.
So when can you physically come in here and comment directly to the board?
What day is that?
So that is during the regular voting meetings.
The next one is March 24th.
Those comments are only pertaining to items that are...
Yeah, so do you see where I'm having an issue with?
Is that I can't comment, I'm not allowed to comment on MASC unless it's a part of the agenda, right?
On March 24th.
That's correct.
So I pretty much, on March 24th, they're not going to be talking about that on March 24th when I'm here in person.
So that agenda will be, so every, we have two meetings.
We have an info session meeting and a regular voting meeting.
This is a special meeting, so it's different.
We obviously have three this month.
But on every info session, we talk about informational items, and there's also a preview of everything that's going to be voted on in two weeks, so the 24th.
Right.
I guess my concern is that why wasn't anybody allowed to comment on this huge decision?
Because we're being voted on tonight.
Well, it sounded to me like the superintendent made a decision on a date.
So the public doesn't, and parents and people that live in the district that pay the taxes for the public schools, don't get a say on that.
They don't get a comment on it.
They don't get a say on it.
It's solely up to...
But I mean, ultimately, it's up to the board to make that decision, regardless of how parents or people feel.
The date that the mask mandate.
The superintendent made that decision.
Yeah, she did, but I'm saying why weren't parents or people in the district allowed to comment on that date?
Why wasn't that date discussed further with people that it actually matters to?
So I certainly understand your question, but what I'm sharing is that we did get many emails about that.
But I'm saying commenting, like having a conversation about it.
Like, why weren't we able to have a conversation about it?
Well, not every decision that the district makes.
Well, I would say that this is a pretty extreme decision, wouldn't you?
Either way, whether you want the mask or you don't want the mask, either way, it's a pretty extreme decision.
What I can share with you is that it's one that the superintendent made.
Not every decision that the superintendent makes is one that's discussed in two-way communication.
I will mention that when we implemented a mask mandate...
There is no discussion and two-way communication with the public.
So therefore, we should not expect one at the end of it?
I am giving a previous example.
Right.
Well, no, I'm just taking your example, which is a fact, right?
That's correct.
And I'm saying, so you're telling me, well, we didn't talk to the public whenever we implemented it?
So it shouldn't matter that we don't talk to the public whenever we decide to pull it?
That's not what I said.
I gave a previous...
No, I'm saying from your example, that's the example that you're saying.
I recognize that that's what you're saying back to me, yes.
But I was giving...
It's just very frustrating to me that nobody gets to say anything here about it.
It's just kind of a closed conversation that the school board has amongst themselves, and they make the ultimate decision.
The school board did not make a decision.
The CDC, well...
The superintendent said.
So she made a decision.
Correct.
Right.
The school board didn't make the decision.
She made this decision.
Yes.
But she didn't discuss it with anybody.
She sent out a survey which could have been infiltrated by who knows or whatever to change all the numbers.
So the survey really doesn't matter.
Is your concern making sure that people's voices are heard?
Yes.
And decision making?
Yes.
Yes, it is.
So is that something that...
From your perspective should occur only in person or are there multiple ways?
I think that there should be many avenues because everybody can't be here but everybody...
Some people can be here.
Some people like me would like to speak directly with the school board.
I can't do that.
I have to send a pre-recorded or an email or a voicemail or this or that, which I did send an email before for a school meeting that happened, and I didn't hear my email be read to anybody whenever I sent it.
So the email is out the window for me.
I gave it one shot.
I would rather talk directly.
We don't read emails that we receive just to replay recorded messages.
You just told me that you...
You read emails today.
Did I say?
Oh, I'm saying yes.
I read emails.
I told you that I read emails that came in today.
Yes.
Yeah.
That is correct.
So you do read email.
What I'm saying is that the Board of Trustees read out loud email.
Maybe I misunderstood what you just said before that.
Yes, I read emails.
A person that has been battling this, and I can't seem to get through.
And I did superintendent who she was until we were hanging up the phone and she was supposed to call me back whenever, you know, because the mandate isn't a law.
You know, like, it shouldn't be...
Which mandate?
This mask, the mask.
Masking for AISD property.
And other school districts all around Austin, these things, they have in-person, where you can comment in person, on rock board meetings, I've been dripping springs meetings.
And I shared with you that you can comment in here.
But, you know, AISD has a discussion about masks.
I understand that, you know, speaking in person is...
Speak directly to the board.
You know, it's very frustrating that I'm not allowed to do that.
And if I would have said something, I would have been, you know, arrested.
We would not have arrested you.
I'm just saying that because I have gone to previous school board meetings and I have been kicked out of this.
I've worked directly for a board meeting.
I wish I would have known that.
I would have directly this.
Have you ever been kicked out of our board meeting?
I haven't had the chance to ever come to a board meeting.
So whenever I found out about where board meet, when I first started getting into this, obviously it was at the height of COVID.
And having board meetings open to the public, they were all online.
And then whenever I tried to come to a board meeting, there were police officers.
And so I stood at the front gate.
Not able to come into the meeting, watching the meeting on my phone.
And then since then I just assumed that I wasn't allowed to come until I was watching it on Facebook and somebody said you actually can come.
So I, you know, ran from HEB here to come and see what's going on and then I come here and, you know, it's...
You still can't comment in person here.
Well, you can, I guess.
Obviously you can, because you're telling me you can.
I didn't know that.
Otherwise, I would have been.
But I want to comment about this.
I understand.
There was not an opportunity.
That is correct.
There was no action from the board.
So we go above that, comment on anything that they want.
Now, listen and do it.
And for that info session, currently, our policy is only recorded messages.
I'm not always our policy.
I'm just giving my opinion.
It's not up to me to make policy.
But I assume it's going to change at some point.
But I'm not the policy maker.
Who is the policy maker of that?
The Board of Trustees is.
They set their policy.
And how do you...
How do we...
Like, have a discussion about that.
That's why I'm saying they're just the ultimate...
You can mail the trustees.
They have their individuals listed on our website.
They actually have their cell phone number on their website.
They do respond to text.
They do run phone calls.
I can't speak for all of them, of course.
But if you go to our website and look, you will see some phone numbers listed.
Many of them engage quite often on Facebook with constituents.
Some of them hold community meetings that they invite the community to come to and provide.
Feedback?
No.
Also, to your point, I recognize that many of them are doing it on Zoom at the moment.
But in the past, because I've worked for the district for 12 years now, supported the board for seven years, they have done community meetings in person as well.
Again, I assume that that's something that we will see.
And when do these seats go up for, like, to change?
So five seats are up this November.
And then we have elections every two years.
So it's five seats two years, four seats the other two years.
November, five seats will be open.
I'm sorry, let me count just to be sure so I'm not mistaken.
One, two, four, five.
Yes.
Seats will be open in November.
And what about the superintendent?
Is her seat?
So they're hired by the Board of Trustees and has a contract.
And so the Board approves a contract.
And so she is not elected.
She is hired.
It is the board's employee.
Right.
And when does the contract terminate or end?
So her currently runs for, so through the additional three school years.
That's upsetting to hear.
It's a fairly difficult time frame for a superintendent contract.
Yeah.
Okay.
Alright.
Would you like me to get you the info on the public comment and show you where to find it?
Yeah, yeah, you can.
Sure.
The website also has information about the trustees and their terms.
See who's up for re-election.
And do they have people running?
So filing doesn't start until the summer.
Okay.
And so all I could share with you now is speculation.
Right, right.
You can talk about it on Facebook, but come start a candidate so far who have five, and you'll be able to learn about them.
All right, so on our website, the Board of Trustees, first question.
First, let's talk about the public comment.
So it takes me here.
So here you can learn more information.
So we have two different things.
Correct.
The public asking, and then we have public comment.
That's the 60 that sign up and talk about anything they'd like to talk about.
And you can actually go to the information page.
It'll show you at a.m. and go to message.
And that's your only choice for public comment.
Or you can call in and say, I'm going to show up today.
So what is the type of meeting you cannot publicly comment?
That is the board information session.
The board information.
Okay.
But the second meeting of every month?
The voting meeting.
Physically be here.
And publicly comment.
Right.
Okay.
I just want to show you one more thing.
So on the left-hand side, I'm still under board.
You can click see their term.
So as you can see, this is our board president.
He's in for this November.
Shouldn't some people have their phone number on that?
Okay.
See, there's another.
Looks like we've got three.
So three that just spoke over to Twitter.
Okay.
Okay.
Thank you.
Very frustrated by this decision.
I just feel like...
Maybe I misunderstood.
You said that you should not be masked.
I think that...
I don't feel like there should...
I feel like there should be a choice because everybody's different.
It's not immediate.
I mean, if the CDC changed and we're all, you know, ultimately of the district, we'll change that days ago.
But, yeah, we should be making it tonight.
You know, it should be changing.
I'll share the CDC.
It's about three of them.
Where did that go?
Sorry, I just dropped the floor tonight.
Thank you very much.
Uh-huh.
We did not wear that that was what the guidance that was coming.
I actually said we're going to provide new guidance.
Well, the CDC said no more.
We're going to provide new guidance, and then they released it Friday afternoon.
Yeah, so we're already Wednesday.
It was released Friday.
Right.
As an elected board, they have to have meetings posted at 72 hours of the house.
This is not an emergency situation.
I can't just hold a meeting Friday night to check No, yeah, but I'm saying that the board, you know, the superintendent could have discussed it, saying, okay, they changed it on Friday, we surveyed whatever the results are from the survey.
Seems like more people are wanting task optionals, what the survey said.
And so they've had the whole weekend and three days, and then they spent two hours, almost, well, hour and 45 minutes, having a discussion about how to come out here, and they're still pushing it further down the road.
So I'm saying, see if time.
Released on Friday, so then they should say, okay, mask optional starting.
You know, that's what makes sense to me.
We're not allowed to provide information to our board except in a publicly posted.
I'm just saying because, you know, I'm just saying common sense or the way we're saying, okay, we follow the CDC.
Now you're not following the CDC because the CDC already said.
That, you know, we should open masks.
You know, New York City's not requiring masks in their schools.
So it just drives me crazy.
Austin is driving me crazy.
And so that's the most frustrating part.
Number one, the mask and just being even on the children in general.
And then number two, their, you know, lack of care to remove them immediately after their God, the CDC, said.
It's okay now.
You know, I was just expecting for them to say, okay, tomorrow, no more masks.
You know, and I know a lot of parents that are saying they're going to just keep their kids home until that day is.
You know, and it's like these kids are already...
I've read a lot of emails.
I've heard people who tell us that they're going to keep their kids home if there's no mask.
Yeah.
So, yeah, but I'm saying they have won this thing and they've been able to force masks on kids this entire time.
You know, and now the CDC, these people who are saying this, these are the same people that are living by the CDC, that are emailing you saying, I'm not going to send my kid to school.
Well, the CDC is the reason why you even put the mask on to begin with.
And now the CDC is...
I certainly recognize your phone.
Yeah, I'm just saying it just drives me crazy because it's like on one side they want to listen to what the CDC says, and now the CDC is saying the opposing thing.
And now they don't want to listen to the CDC and, you know, it's just because they've planted this fear into their heads and now they can't let it go because they're addicted to it.
So, anyway.
The other thing I'd say, though, is I think it's something more than that.
If you do come to board meetings, and I'd encourage you to come.
Yeah, I will now that I know.
I think one thing you'll find is they're very deliberate and they're very considerate.
They don't make decisions rationally.
And they do spend a lot of time talking and thinking about things and thinking about things from all angles and possibilities.
And, you know, that can be frustrating, you know, for people who want a decision to be made more quickly.
Yeah, well, because they made the decision very quickly to mask.
It also allows them to really make, hopefully, better decisions over time because they really do take their time in reaching those decisions.
So, you know, I understand that.
Because I remember when that decision was...
It was also not made quickly.
And you are?
Jacob Rich.
Who is?
I'm the Chief Officer for General Relations and Board Services for Austin ISD.
Okay, for years and years.
I was Chief of Staff previously.
Paul Cruz, who was the chief prior to this.
And then I also worked in two other positions for Polk's.
And then worked for our CEO, Nicole Connelly, prior to that.
You are?
The General Counsel's Office.
For years and years?
No, actually, for six months.
For six months?
Six months.
Oh, okay.
Yeah, I've been licensed since 2003.
Yeah, do you have it?
I do.
Yeah, you'll probably more and more now that I know that it's open.
I had no idea.
you don't arrest people.
Don't try and test.
No, I'm not going to try to test.
What I'm saying is that it is not our process to arrest first.
We want to talk to them first.
We want to see if we can come to an agreement to whatever that may be at that point.
I'm just looking for a discussion, you know?
I'm just tired of the non-discussion.
There's nothing that you've done now that would warn us to feel that our arrest would be next.
Oh, yeah, I know.
I know.
The one thing I would say, though, is when they're taking comments, they're really not supposed to be engaging when they're back and forth, people making comments.
Right, yeah.
So if you want to engage with board members, I think the things that Jacob was calling them, email them.
Yeah, I did call the superintendent and whenever the 5th District Court of Appeals Are you sure
it was her?
Yeah, it was her.
It was her because she said speaking to.
Okay.
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