Local

Mask mandate drop at Seattle schools causes controversy

SEATTLE — Controversy is building after Seattle Public Schools announced it will drop its mask mandate on March 14. Many districts across Western Washington are making the change, following state guidelines.

But in Seattle, the union representing educators said the change wasn’t properly bargained.

It’s bringing mixed reactions and a scramble to get schools ready for the new policy Monday.

Higher-risk activities, like choir or theater class, will still require students and staff to wear a mask, according to a memo sent to school leaders Thursday afternoon.

“We’re really excited for the opportunity to make the choice,” said Lindsay Janiec, a West Seattle parent.

“It’s exciting, we’re ready. We’re done,” said Rachel Jensen, another parent.

But with face coverings being a requirement for nearly two years now, some kids are nervous about the change.

“I’m probably going to feel a little uncomfortable when I hang up my mask,” said Lillian Janiec, a student at Fairmount Park Elementary. “Because I’ve been wearing a mask for a long time,” she said.

The Seattle school district still saw more than 100 COVID-19 cases last week. It’s a 93% drop from the peak of 1,752 cases in the week of Jan. 15, but the weekly case counts are still higher than pre-omicron levels.

The sudden announcement changing the masking policy caught the Seattle Education Association, the union representing educators, as well as student leaders off guard.

“The correct word is shocked,” said Chetan Soni, with the Seattle Student Union. Soni said the organization has membership from eight schools. He said students also just met with the superintendent and discussed masking.

He said most students want to keep the mask mandate. The Seattle Student Union has shared a statement on its website as well as Instagram, with plans to walk out of class if the district drops the mandate.

“We had a meeting on Saturday and he told us there (were) no changes to change the mask mandate yet. So it really came as a shock,” Soni said. “There’s been no student input on how students should wear masks at school,” he said.

“You’re in a class where there’s basically no social distancing,” Soni said. “I’m really worried about our (immunocompromised) students.”

M.C. Nachtigal is a school nurse at two West Seattle elementary schools, Fairmount Park Elementary and Arbor Heights Elementary.

Her worry is primarily the sudden announcement from SPS without an agreement first from the union.

“I think for many SEA members, one of the biggest concerns is how the district handled this,” Nachtigal said.

In a statement from SEA, the union said the decision was made “without consultation” and is causing “chaos, confusion, and distrust.”

The union added in its statement:

“The public and SEA members believed the District when it announced, ‘Future decisions on mask use within the district will be made in partnership with public health, and its implementation will be established after consultation and mutually agreed upon guidelines that are reached through bargaining with our labor partners.’  The District cannot unilaterally ignore an agreed-upon MOU, and now is leaving educators scrambling with just days before lifting the mask mandate.”

In a statement from SPS, the district said in part, “We were in discussions with SEA leadership on this matter before this decision was made and they expressed understanding of this potential change and a willingness to work together to bargain the impacts of the district’s decision.”

On Thursday afternoon, the district sent a memo to school leaders saying masks will still be required in certain high-risk areas and activities. Masks will still be required in:

o Protected health care room

o Nurses’ office

o School-based health centers

o Classrooms and other indoor spaces during high-aerosol activities: singing, theater, speech and bell-covers should still be used on wind instruments.

Despite the controversy and clarifications, some parents and students are eager for this next phase and believe the change will improve learning.

“Relieved. I know my older son doesn’t like to wear them,” Jensen said. “He doesn’t like to talk a lot with the mask on. So if he chooses not to wear it, he’d maybe be more vocal in class,” she said.

The district said in the memo to school leaders that all physical distancing protocols will be kept in place for now and will be evaluated at the end of March.