The Hastings Banner — Thursday, August 12, 2021 — Page 7State school board argues mask mandate
Bridge Magazine
A Republican effort to dissuade Michigan
schools from requiring masks, COVID-
testing and quarantining of unvaccinated stu-
dents backfired Tuesday when Democrats
instead adopted language that supports a dis-
trict’s right to impose such mandates.
The vote on the non-binding resolution
followed indignation, tears and three hours of
public comment — mostly against mask man-
dates.
The Michigan Board of Education mem-
bers’ passion for the issue did not match their
authority, however.
“We have no more ability to impose a mask
mandate than to prohibit a mask mandate at
the state board or the state department,”
Superintendent Michael F. Rice said.
Republican board member Nikki Snyder of
Dexter, who opposes mask and vaccine man-
dates, said non-binding resolutions still mat-
ter.
“We consistently discuss issues that we
don’t have the authority to write policy or
legislation [on], but our statements matter,”
she said. “They make a difference.”
The board voted 6-2 along party lines to
replace Republican Tom McMillin’s proposed
ban on mask mandates with a statement sup-
porting local districts’ “ability to make scien-
tifically informed decisions including mask
mandates.”
On the same party-line vote, the board
rejected two other McMillin resolutions. One
would have discouraged schools from penal-
izing, segregating or quarantining unvaccinat-
ed students. The other would have urged
school districts to stop COVID-19 testing.
The vote comes days after Gov. Gretchen
Whitmer, a Democrat, and her health depart-
ment urged — but did not require — K-
schools to mandate masks in schools, in
accordance with U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention guidance. That put the
onus on the emotional issue among the state’s
891 traditional school districts and charter
schools. Some, like Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo,
will require masks for the beginning of the
year, but many districts are making them
optional.
During debate Tuesday, Snyder, a regis-
tered nurse, cried as she said she distrusts the
federal government’s ability to regulate vac-
cines because, she said, a drug she took
during pregnancy caused birth defects in her
children.
Dozens of parents turned up for the board
meeting — mostly virtually— to comment on
mask and vaccine mandates. Nearly all
opposed them.
Among their arguments: Masks are uncom-
fortable. They create a false sense of protec-
tion from disease. They create an irrational
fear of germs. They make it difficult for chil-
dren speaking English as a second language.
They inhibit social interaction. Wearing them
should be a personal choice.
One mother from Grand Blanc said masks
exacerbate her daughter’s social anxiety.
“She doesn’t know how to deal with people
because she can’t see them. She doesn’t know
what they’re thinking and feeling,” she told
the board over speakerphone.
Board officials were unable to provide full
names for commenters who participated
remotely.Another mother, from Rochester Hills, said
she supports mask mandates.
“The negative effects of [the more conta-
gious Delta variant] on our children far out-
weigh any inconvenience of wearing a mask,
and masks, we know, work better when every-
one wears them,” she said. “One parent
choosing not to have their child wear a mask
means my child is less protected.”
The debate over mask mandates has been
raging across the country. Illinois Gov. J.B.
Pritzker is mandating them. In Florida,
Democratic mayors are at odds with
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis who threat-
ened to withhold funding from districts that
mandate masks. New York City and Denver are
requiring masks in schools. And places like
Tennessee are implementing a patchwork of
policies.
McMillin, of Oakland Township, said
almost everyone he’s talked with believes it’s
abusive to require children to wear masks all
day.
People are “rising up all across the state.
They want to be heard. This is child abuse,
what’s being done to their children, and this is
serious,” he said.
Democrat board member Pamela Pugh,
who has a background in public health, bris-
tled.
“If masks are child abuse then Halloween
masks are child abuse,” Pugh, of Saginaw,
said. “Let’s not get into saying that masks arechild abuse.”
Later, Pugh accused Snyder and McMillin
of supporting policies that jeopardize lives.
“Our children need to wear masks, not onlyto protect themselves but to protect others,”
she said. “You want to take the protection they
have away? You’re killing our children. That’s
on you.”Richard Harry Goodenough, age 88 of
Hastings, passed away on August 4, 2021.
He was born on September 8, 1932, in
Hastings, the son of Vern Goodenough and
Gladys McNutt.
Richard attended Middleville High
School. He worked for Bliss for 10 years
and then Ketchum’s Machine Shop in
Freeport, where he retired. Richard proudly
served his country in the Army during the
Korean War. On June 16, 1962, he married
Betty Snore, and they enjoyed 59 years
together.
Richard was an avid fisherman and hunter.
He enjoyed traveling to Arizona, going to
the casino, mowing the lawn, and making
people laugh.
Richard was preceded in death by his
wife, Betty (Snore) Goodenough; his father,
Vern Goodenough; mother, Gladys
Matteson; brother, Vern Jr. Goodenough;
sister, Wilma Gosneigh; stepdad, Bob
Matteson, and daughter, Vicky Rutzebeck.
He is survived by his sons, Steve (Vonda)
Goodenough of Hastings, Don Goodenough
of Hastings, Mike (Gayelynn) Goodenough
of Hastings; daughter, Sandy (Mark) Bowen;
son, Dan (Cheryl) Goodenough; grandsons,
Aaron (Laura) Hartman, Andy Goodenough,
Casey (Jessica) Goodenough, Stuart
Goodenough, Hunter Tyner, Brandon
Sanders; granddaughters, Britney (Bretton)
Curtis, Krista (Brandon) Shoemaker, Karley
(Chase) Williams, Lacey Sanders; sister,
Dorothy Roussel, and many great-
grandchildren.
A combined service along with Richard’s
wife, Betty Goodenough, who passed away
July 31, 2021 was held on Friday, Aug. 6.,
2021 It can be viewed at http://www.facebook.
com/GirrbachFuneralHome. Visitation was
Friday, Aug. 6 with a service that followed at
Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway;
Hastings, MI 49058. Interment at Rutland
Charter Township Cemetery with a luncheon
to follow at the Elks Lodge.
Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home.
To leave an online condolence visit http://www.
girrbachfuneralhome.net.Richard Harry Goodenough165753BARRY COUNTY DRAIN COMMISSIONER
WOLCOTT DRAIN
NOTICE OF MEETING OF BOARD OF
DETERMINATION
DATE: Monday, August 23, 2021TIME: 6:00 p.m.LOCATION: Woodland Township Hall
156 S. Main Street
Woodland, Michigan 48897QUESTIONS: (269) 945-A Board of Determination will meet at the above date, time and location
to hear all interested persons, receive evidence and determine whether the main-
tenance and improvement of the Wolcott Drain, as set forth in the petitions, dated
April 13, 2021 and April 20, 2021, is necessary and conducive to the public health,
convenience or welfare, pursuant to Chapter 8 of Public Act 40 of 1956, as
amended.A presentation will be made to the Board of Determination outlining a brief history
of the Drainage District, and describing the roles, responsibilities and decisions
made by a Board of Determination. The presentation is to provide background for
landowners and municipalities in the drainage district and to facilitate the dissem-
ination of information and the receipt of testimony of landowners in the Drainage
District. The Board of Determination will make its decision at the end of the meet-
ing.Proceedings conducted at this public meeting will be subject to the
provisions of the Michigan Open Meetings Act. Information regarding this meeting,
including the minutes of the meeting, may be obtained from the Barry County
Drain Commissioner’s Office located at 220 W. State Street, Hastings, Michigan- Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for effective participa-
tion in the meeting should contact the Drain Commissioner at the number listed
above or through the Michigan Relay Center at 7-1-1 (TDD) at least 24 hours in
advance of the meeting to request mobility, visual, hearing or other assistance.
Anyone aggrieved by the decision of the Board of Determination may
seek judicial review pursuant to MCL 280.72a.Jim Dull, Barry County Drain Commissioner
Dated: July 26, 2021Barry County updated to
‘high’ COVID transmission
Barry-Eaton District Health
Department
COVID-19 transmission level in both
Barry and Eaton counties is now at “high,”
an increase from the previous level of “sub-
stantial,” Barry-Eaton District Health
Department officials said Wednesday.
The data this level is based upon comes
from covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-track-
er/#county-view.
Additional detailed data can be found at
mistartmap.info/ and barryeatonhealth.org/
coronavirus.
With this increased level of COVID-
spread, BEDHD and CDC recommend that
all individuals wear masks in indoor public
settings, regardless of vaccination status.
Additionally, individuals who have been
exposed to an individual known to have – or
who is suspected of having – COVID-
should be tested for COVID-19 three to five
days after exposure, regardless of vaccina-
tion status.
Both Eaton and Barry counties are now
classified at the high community transmis-
sion level.
Barry County has a seven-day case rate of
112.1 cases per 100,000 persons and a test
positivity rate of 10.42 percent and was clas-
sified as high as of Wednesday.
The number of new cases identified in thecounty this week was 69 cases, an increase
of 92 percent over the previous week. Most
counties that neighbor the district also have
met the substantial or high transmission
threshold.
Eaton County has a seven-day case rate of
112.45 cases per 100,000 persons and a test
positivity rate of 6.49 percent and was clas-
sified as high as of Wednesday. The number
of new cases identified this week was 124,
which represents an increase of 210 percent
over the previous week.
The positivity rates that health officials
are seeing indicates that not enough testing
is being done – meaning that cases are being
missed, and folks are spreading COVID-
without being aware that they are positive,
according to BEDHD. Visit solvhealth.com/
search?cobrandedSrpLocation=MI to find a
testing site.
BEDHD reported that current vaccination
levels vary across the health department
district: “While some areas have fairly good
vaccination coverage, other areas are lag-
ging and are at higher risk. We encourage
anyone who is able to get vaccinated.
Vaccination prevents hospitalization and
death among those who have breakthrough
cases.
“BEDHD offers walk-in vaccinations at
both of our offices.”Barry ISD board discusses
mask requirements, millage
Benjamin Simon
Staff Writer
This fall, Barry Intermediate School
District will require masks, with the exception
of students who have medical waivers.
Given the high-risk nature of the district’s
students, Superintendent Richard Franklin
said, they intend to keep the rules similar to
last year.
“Any students enrolled in our programs are
tending to be medically more fragile,”
Franklin said in an interview. “Not all of our
students are medically fragile, but many of
them are, so we would call them a vulnerable
population.
“And that’s why we’re being a little more
restrictive than our local districts because we
have kids with feeding tubes and all kinds of
medical situations that [makes them] just
more vulnerable.”
But students will be able to opt out of the
mask mandate if they receive medical waiv-
ers.
“Some of our students have to have a med-
ical waiver. They can’t possibly wear a mask,”
Franklin said during the BISD’s board meet-
ing Tuesday morning. “It’s not safe for them.”
Although the district will require
mask-wearing, Franklin noted they will not
punish students for not wearing masks.
“We’re just trying to help the students do
the best they can,” he said. “It’s not about
‘You’re not going to get in trouble, you’re not
going to get sent to the principal’s office.’ It’s
not a defiance, compliance thing. It’s just
‘OK, let’s put on our masks.’”
Trustee Deb Hatfield said, although she’s
not a “huge mask proponent,” she sees the
logic in mandating them for ISD students.
“Especially for classrooms, I think that,
once again, we are dealing with a population
that is much different than just Gen Ed,” she
said. “You know, I don’t like the mask, but I
think, at this point, especially from what
we’re seeing everywhere else it’s going to
come back because we’re all going to be back
indoors. And I think that for our students, Idon’t mind the mask requirements.”
Staff members also are expected to wear
masks while in the classrooms with students.
When not in the same room, however, fully
vaccinated staff would not need to wear
masks.
Franklin said they have looked to the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
Michigan Department of Health and Human
Services and the Barry-Eaton District Health
Department to determine their COVID-
policy.
BISD board members also discussed a
regional enhancement millage. Board mem-
bers initially had hoped to bring the millage
up for election in November, but the Delton
Kellogg board of education decided Friday at
a special meeting not to request the ISD mill-
age. Millage requests for an intermediate dis-
trict must go through the local districts before
getting final approval from the ISD board.
In the coming weeks, Franklin said they
plan to have a joint board meeting between
BISD, Delton Kellogg and Hastings districts
to discuss best steps forward.
“[We’re going to] have some conversation
about timing, which is really the big issue,”
Franklin said. “I think there was concern that,
because of Hastings having a vote last week
that didn’t pass, it was maybe too soon to try
to have another vote. Would that confuse the
voters, or upset the voters?”
They envisioned asking for millage to sup-
port special education as well as career and
technical education at a proposed rate of 2
mills over nine years. At the upcoming meet-
ing, Franklin said they will further discuss the
ideal amount and duration of a millage levy.
“It would help [the districts] offset some of
their current unreimbursed special ed costs,
and that’s more general fund dollars they can
spend on other things for students and pro-
grams,” Franklin said. “Or, it could mean new
dollars that they can do some exciting CTE
things with that they haven’t been able to do
before.”Michigan COVID cases double to
more than 1,000; deaths still low
Banner staff and
Bridge Michigan
Barry County reported 58 active cases of
COVID-19 Tuesday, up from 45 the previous
week, according to the Barry-Eaton District
Health Department.
Michigan’s seven-day average of new
COVID cases is now more than 1,000 per day,
jumping up from slightly more than 500 cases
in less than two weeks.
That’s far faster than last year, when it took
two months to go from 500 daily cases in July
to more than 1,000 daily cases in October —
and before more than 4.6 million people in
Michigan had been fully vaccinated.
The numbers rose as Michigan on Monday
reported 2,720 new cases over the past three
days for a daily average of 907. After a month
of reporting new coronavirus data on Tuesdays
and Fridays, the state is going to start releas-
ing COVID information on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays.
Health officials say this trend illustrates the
potency of the Delta variant, which public
health officials say is nearly twice as conta-
gious as the original virus – and which ispredominantly infecting those who have not
been vaccinated.
The virus is far more common in some
areas than others, with Branch County in
southern Michigan at 32 cases per 100,000,
up from 21 the week before.
Metro Detroit is now at about 12 cases per
100,000, up from seven the week before.
The increase has triggered a surge in hospi-
talizations, with the state reporting 752 con-
firmed or suspected coronavirus patients in
hospitals statewide, that’s up 42 percent from
531 on Friday.
For the past week, 7 percent of Michigan
coronavirus tests have come back positive, up
from 6 percent a week ago and 4.25 percent
two weeks ago.
Deaths attributed to the virus have not risen
in Michigan, but that count can typically lag
weeks after surges.
Since Friday there have been eight addi-
tional COVID-19 deaths.
Since the pandemic began, there have been
19,958 confirmed COVID-19 deaths in
Michigan along with 1,270 cases in which
COVID is indicated as the probable cause.Area
Obituary
Woodland church
celebrating 165 years
Zion Lutheran Church near Woodland is preparing for its 165th anniversary
celebration at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 22. The event will include an outdoor service,
picnic, socializing, church history exhibits, games for kids and an old-fashioned hymn
sing. Everyone is invited, but must RSVP by Aug 16 via phone, 269-347-4817, (leave
message) or email to [email protected]. The church was organized in 1856
by 20 German families and has expanded over the years. Here, youngsters get
restless during the 1956 centennial celebration. (Photo provided)