UPDATE: 8/24/2021, 9 AM -
Big news coming out of the Bozeman School Board Meeting on Monday.
After a long night, the board voted to approve an emergency declaration within the district that puts a face mask mandate in action.
The vote, 7-1, will make the mask mandate effective on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. The board also moved to make updates to the original mask policy.
Bozeman students will be returning back to school next week under a mask mandate.
Hundreds of people joined the virtual meeting and dozens chimed in during public comment to express how they felt.
“I believe that parents should have the right to make medical decisions, not the seven of you, for my child, for any child,” one parent said. “I don’t believe you have the right to make that decision for my child.”
“Masks are a little more than a minor inconvenience in the scale of things,” said another parent. “If wearing a mask saves one child’s life or the life of a parent or grandparent, I think the inconvenience pales in comparison to the potential benefit.”
During the meeting, the board also agreed to hire Ray & Associates as the firm to conduct the search for the next superintendent.
The firm was selected after giving a presentation to the board along with one other firm. More details about the search will be released soon.
MTN News will have an update and a closer look into the board’s decisions on tonight’s 5:30 and 10 pm News.
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The Board of Trustees for Bozeman Public Schools voted 7-1 to implement a mask requirement for all indoor spaces and school district buildings.
The policy is effective as of Tuesday, August 24.
Masks will be required for all staff, volunteers, visitors, and school-aged students.
Developing story. Check back for updates.