Parents continue to spar with school board over masks, surveys
MIDLAND, Mich. — Parents in Midland are still divided over mask mandates, while others are concerned about a gender-related question on student surveys.
The Midland Public Schools Board of Education returned to the M.P.S. Administration Center – located at 600 East Carpenter Street – for its Oct. 25 regular meeting.
Last month, the board met in the Central Auditorium to accommodate for a larger-than-expected crowd and social distancing. This month, 36 people from the district were signed up, a higher number of speakers than last month despite the board returning to its smaller meeting room.
A majority of public commenters came to address the board about mask mandates. Members of the Facebook group Rise Up Midland (formerly known as Parents Against MPS Mask Mandate) expressed frustration over little to no communication from board members.
“I would like to know how parents and concerned citizens in Midland are supposed to reach you,” Melissa Buczek said to the board. “As you stated, you’re worried about a lot of people coming to speak. Why are we waiting between meetings to have build-up? Why are we not addressing in-between?”
Ms. Buczek asked members of the audience, who appeared for public comment in last month’s meeting and were also present at this meeting, to stand up.
“Can you raise your hand if your concerns were addressed?” Ms. Buczek asked, with no hands raised. “I mean, this is a problem. I don’t see us making connections with you.”
A request – co-signed by Ms. Buczek and 27 other members of Rise Up Midland – for the mask mandate to be put on this meeting’s agenda was sent to the board, but with no response, Ms. Buczek said.
Will Zablocki, group co-founder, echoed Ms. Buczek’s concern, arguing that the board continues to provide no platform for communication on mask mandates, aside from monthly meetings.
Members of Rise Up Midland had previously attempted to reach out to the board of education, asking them to schedule an emergency meeting after Superintendent Michael Sharrow announced a mask policy change. No meeting was set, with the board accepting public comments during regular meetings.
“We also had four communiques with no discussion,” Mr. Zablocki told the board. “You know that there’s going to be a room full of people showing up!”
In contrast, Chad and Marissa Anders came to the administration building representing the Mask Up MPS Facebook group to protest for a universal mandate, prior to the meeting.
The district’s current mask policy covers K-6 students when they are indoors, except for when they are eating lunch. Students in grades 7-12 are “highly encouraged” to wear masks. Mask use is also strongly recommended outdoors.
In addition, a survey being conducted in partnership with The Legacy Center for Community Success and Midland Kids First sparked concern from parents. This is the fourth time the survey has been conducted since 2005, as a way to provide building blocks for youth development.
Amy DeHaven, a lifelong resident of Midland, told the board that her fifth-grade son and eighth-grade daughter were given a survey asking what gender they identify with. The given options were male, female, transgender, and non-binary.
“It is not the school’s job to ask our young children these questions. As far as my kids go, my son is a male, and my daughter is a female. That is what we’ve always taught them, as we believe we were created by God, and God doesn’t make mistakes.”
Ms. DeHaven made a religious argument against the survey question, quoting Genesis 1:27: “God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God, he created them. Male and female, he created them.”
Heather Aviles came representing the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee at Midland High School, arguing that the Legacy Center survey is a vital link provided between Midland Public Schools and the community.
However, Ms. Aviles said that certain questions were removed or altered from the survey, including one about gender identity.
“Although it is not totally clear why the survey was edited, it seemed that a few individuals have succeeded in applying pressure to remove questions pertaining to gender identity and sexual behaviors. We are deeply concerned that by modifying the data collection, resources will no longer be allocated to all students, as the survey is no longer an accurate depiction of the needs of all the students at Midland Public Schools,” Ms. Aviles said.
Mr. Sharrow told the City Paper that a survey was done on parents and students by an outside firm, prior to the current Legacy Center survey, which had questions relating to sex and gender identity. On the Legacy Center survey, the district has decided to review similar questions and address multiple issues, such as whether or not to survey children. whether to have opt-in/out for parents, and determining the appropriate age level for such questions.
At the end of the meeting, board member Brad Blasy remarked on the high amount of public commenters who brought up the mask mandate and asked the board about the possibility of voting on the mandate.
Board President Scott McFarland responded, saying “we rely on the administration to have daily contact with the health authorities and they confer amongst each other.”
Earlier in the meeting, Mr. Sharrow hinted that, given a possible increase in vaccinations and decline in cases among students and staff, the district may be able to lift its current mask mandate for K-6 students at some point, reverting back to strongly recommending masks for all students. He cited possible F.D.A. approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11 as a positive development.
Mr. Sharrow had also announced that COVID-19 cases in the district are starting to level off. The district reports 43 active cases among staff and students as of Oct. 25.
Michael Piwowarski covers education, including higher ed and Midland Public Schools, for the City Paper.