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Time for patron input. Speakers will be given three minutes each, and it looks like there will be quite a few.
Brent Smith, DHS student body president, calls for in-person reopening: "I am certain that the negative effects of online school significantly outweigh the risks of COVID-19."
Mary Friday, De Soto teacher and district parent: "I truly believe the positives for returning in person outweigh the negatives."
Jason Stenberg, a parent of three students: "I& #39;ve listened to a lot of doctors, and you might be swayed by their expertise. I myself am a firefighter. I have a strong background in numbers. I urge you to not listen to doctors."
After a round of applause, Stenberg continues: "I& #39;ve heard doctors talk about COVID this, masks that. Please do not just listen to the experts."
Melanie Morrison, a 10-year-old student at Mize Elementary: "On my dance team, only three people tested positive for COVID and no one else got sick. Kids need to see their friends. I don& #39;t like sitting on my iPad for six hours a day."
Emily Morrison, Melanie& #39;s mother: "I am the parent of a child who died from a virus. I, as a parent, have studied the statistics of COVID and am sure that the risk to children is very low. The risk of COVID isn& #39;t any greater than the risk of driving down I-435."
Allison Wilcox, a mother: "I would like to speak to your emotional side... I am put in a position to fail. My responsibility as a parent is to put my children in a position to succeed. Please give us parents who chose on-site the option to start on site with safety measures."
Scott Endley, a parent of four and former military psychiatrist: "One of our biggest goals [in the military] was to teach soldiers that everything has risk. You cannot live your life in fear of that risk. I ask that the board consider this in their decision."
Tori Blake, a parent of three who helped privately develop a plan for a golf season in her own community: "Our events had zero outbreaks of COVID, and only one warning that a patron had COVID... people got out of their homes, off their devices, and thrived in physical exercise.
Nicole Vandemobile, a parent of three: "All of us live with some exposure risk to COVID-19. Education is important and, in my opinion, worth the exposure risk... we need to consider the social-emotional aspect."
Christi Cooper, parent of two elementary students: "We could probably have five different doctors all give different perspectives... doctors said & #39;our community transmission is so high.& #39; But only 1 percent of the USD 232 community has tested positive for COVID so far."
Mallory Fitzgerald, 10-year-old student: "I know that today the numbers say that we should start fully online. I am not okay with this. Elementary students need support and structure."
Teresa Finan, a mother in the district and physician: "On Feb. 26, the CDC said that it is not a matter of & #39;if& #39; but & #39;when& #39; this virus spreads. This virus will spread no matter what... this time of year, our immune system functions at maximum level..."
Finan continues: "There is evidence that exposure to cold weakens the immune system. Wherever there is risk, there should also be choice. I ask you: if this virus will infect us all at some point, why not give our students and teachers the best shot at overcoming it?"
Lindsey Flint, a parent and coach: "It is good that you are questioning Johnson County& #39;s health information. Their slogan says & #39;it& #39;s our goal to stop the spread of COVID.& #39; That is unrealistic. We can& #39;t stop it. The gating criteria is unrealistic, just like stopping COVID."
Ashley Heath, a mother of two students: "I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that my daughters need in-person school, and I believe this can be done safely... at the summer camps within the district my children have attended, only three COVID cases have been recorded."
Allen Clement, a pediatrician and father of five students: "What I do know is that there are risks to both in-person and remote learning. The last thing we want is to contribute to an outbreak in the community. I think we must make our decisions based on good science."
Clement continues: "Sometimes, we make decisions based on what feels right and then search for data that reflect our feelings. We must instead look at the facts first and use them to make a decision... I say we put our trust in experts and the legitimate science they use."
Emma Clement, a high school student: "I really like school. I like learning, seeing my friends, and play sports. I could stand here all day and tell you how much I want to go back to school in person. But that& #39;s not what this decision is about."
Clement continues: "This decision isn& #39;t about just me. It& #39;s about our older relatives, or anyone with a chronic illness, or teachers who will be put at risk. If we go back to school without listening to our health professionals, we are at high risk of an outbreak."
Sherri Scott, a therapist: "I think it& #39;s important to cover what leads to suicide in youth, and also consider that we might be walking our children towards it... It is safe to say we are watching our kids& #39; mental health decline as time goes on."
Kelly Immins, a parent: "We have to depend on the public health experts and medical professionals to navigate us through this situation... It& #39;s not about what we want. It& #39;s about what the data supports and what is in the best interest of students and staff."
Laura Bassett, a COVID survivor who arrived late and spoke without a mask: "I am telling all of you that, yes, people have underlying conditions. But they will eventually get better. I will not live in fear."
Traci Gervais, a parent: "Masks work. Distancing works. Why can& #39;t they go back in person? The people who are worried about this disease have their option [to go remote]. Parents who want their kids to go back deserve an option too."
And that& #39;s it for patron input. A lot of opinions shared by the community tonight. Now, the board will draft and vote on a motion.
