Granite School District board meeting ends early due to anti-mask protest
May 5, 2021, 8:30 AM | Updated: 9:17 am
(Granite School District Meeting May 4, 2021, screenshot)
(Granite School District Meeting May 4, 2021, screenshot)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The most recent Granite School District board meeting was like any other, until it wasn’t. Despite the topic of facemasks not even being on the agenda, the issue came to dominate the discussion and ultimately force the meeting to end early.
Board meeting is disrupted and then ends early
Granite School District spokesperson Ben Horsley says the board meeting Tuesday night was going through the standard process until reaching the public comment section. At that time, some parents took to the podium and sounded off on their displeasure with continued mask requirements in Utah schools.
“Let us evaluate our individual circumstances regarding masks that are in the best interest of our families,” said one parent.
Later, parents seated in the room started heckling and interrupting other people talking at the podium.
Officials pleaded with the crowd to be more respectful, saying, “Please, guys, we are in a public meeting.”
The message apparently fell on deaf ears, as some individuals with the group “Utah Parents United” continued to shout down and interrupt board members following the public comment section.
It was at that time officials decided to pull the plug and abruptly end the meeting.
Board adjourns after protesters disrupt the meeting.
— Granite School Dist. (@GraniteSchools) May 5, 2021
Sticking with state policy, looking ahead to next school year
Ben Horsley argues that the parent’s angst is misguided, considering that masks are the main component that has allowed kids to leave home and attend class in-person once again.
“Masks have actually been proven to reduce transmission on school property to the tune of less than two-percent transmission,” he explains.
He adds there are less than two weeks of class remaining in the Granite School District academic year and they fully plan on requiring facemasks for the remainder of that time.
Governor Spencer Cox has already stated that facemasks will not be required in Utah schools for this next school year.
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