93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
About 20 parents of students at Southern Boone Elementary School in Ashland protested near the school Friday morning, against the district’s decision to impose a mask requirement.
Students at the school must wear a mask at school, effective today.
Southern Boone Superintendent Chris Felmlee has written a letter to parents saying that the elementary building has reached 15 percent of its population out, due to COVID-related positive cases and quarantines.
The superintendent says 88 students and staff at Southern Boone elementary have either tested positive for COVID or have to quarantine. Southern Boone district spokesman Matt Sharp says the current enrollment at Southern Boone elementary is 489 students.
The district will re-examine the mask requirement on September 30.
One of the protesters, parent Derek Lombard, tells 939 the Eagle that he and other parents are fed up and wanted to make their voices heard. He also tells the Eagle that a number of motorists who drove by honked their horns, in support of the protest.
As for Superintendent Felmlee, he says masks are encouraged but not required now at Southern Boone primary, middle and high schools.
(story updated at 11:20 am to include comment from Ashland parent Derek Lombard, who protested this morning)
