EDUCATION + SCHOOLS

SLC Board of Education responds to Mendenhall’s proposed mask mandate for K-6 students

Aug 17, 2021, 8:18 PM
mask mandate students...
(FILE PHOTO - First graders Gilbert Grant and Monty Fox wear masks as they wash their hands before lunch at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Salt Lake City on May 12, 2021. Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
(FILE PHOTO - First graders Gilbert Grant and Monty Fox wear masks as they wash their hands before lunch at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Salt Lake City on May 12, 2021. Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY– On Tuesday, Mayor Erin Mendenhall said that she would like to have a mask mandate for K-6 students in the Salt Lake City School District. Mendenhall called an emergency meeting with the Salt Lake City Board of Education members to discuss the mask mandate for students on the same day.  

SLC Board of Education response to Mendenhall’s request

The board stated they share Mendenhall’s concerns about the health of students. They reported they’ve seen the effectiveness of mask-wearing in helping slow the spread of COVID-19. 

“Consistent and proper mask-wearing played an important role in preventing any schools in Salt Lake City School District from closing last year,” the board explained in a statement. 

However, while the board shares Mendenhall’s concerns, various current state statutes limit their ability to enforce a mask mandate. 

Therefore, the board is, “seeking a legal opinion on what actions a local school board can take regarding masking in schools within the scope of state law.”

Mendenhall calls for mask mandate across SLC school district 

According to Mendenhall’s attorneys, she has the power to declare a local emergency and to issue such a mask mandate. 

However, Mendenhall wanted the support of the board to make that recommendation. 

“It’s critically important to me, actually, that our locally elected school board play a role in any decision that I may make related to orders related to the district,” Mendenhall said. “And I’ve asked the school board to make an official recommendation on a requirement for masks in schools.”

According to Mendenhall, the Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office conducted a detailed and thorough analysis of her options and abilities as city mayor. 

“They’ve determined that it is within my legal capacity as mayor to declare a local emergency and issue orders related to that emergency to protect public health and safety. And I’m fully confident in our city attorney’s findings,” Mendenhall explained. 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Education + Schools

An attempt to ban books in Utah has been met with someone trying to ban the bible....
Amanda Dickson

Opinion: Would we need to ban books in school if parents just parented?

Are these attempts to ban books about the books or the parenting? Amanda Dickson explores what happens if parents parented.
3 days ago
Salt Lake County Health and partners team up to help make Utah kids safe through the SafeUT Safe Ki...
Waverly Golden

SafeUT Safe Kids Fair, helps keep Utah kids safe

Salt Lake County Health and partners team up to help make Utah kids safe through the SafeUT Safe Kids Fair.
5 days ago
An unknown person has requested the Bible be pulled from school libraries in Davis County. Dave and...
Curt Gresseth

Should the Bible be banned from school libraries?

An unknown person has requested the Bible be pulled from school libraries in Davis County. Dave and Dujanovic with a school district spokesman and a state senator.
5 days ago
children at an assembly pictured, how do we set kids up for success ?...
Samantha Herrera

Creating a different framework for children’s success

One author says the framework for children's futures is in need of a replacement. How can we set our children up for success?
5 days ago
kindergarten students pictured, full-day kindergarten now an option...
Samantha Herrera and Kate Davis

Utah Board of Education says full-day kindergarten benefits students’ futures

The Utah Board of Education says full-day kindergarten can help students receive support for learning gaps in a way that half-day kindergarten does not.
5 days ago
usu sign is pictured, a lawsuit has been filed against the school...
Hugo Rikard-Bell

USU grad files lawsuit against university for racist caricature

USU released a statement about the lawsuit and said the school followed its non-discrimination policy when the student initially made the complaint.
6 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...
BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.
Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....
Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a new winter activity? Try skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.
Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...
Intermountain Health

Five common causes of Cervical Cancer – and what you can do to lower your risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.
Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...
Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.
happy friends with sparklers at christmas dinner...
Macey's

15 easy Christmas dinner ideas

We’ve scoured the web for you and narrowed down a few of our favorite Christmas dinner ideas to make your planning easy.
Spicy Homemade Loaded Taters Tots...
Macey's

5 Game Day Snacks for the Whole Family (with recipes!)

Try these game day snacks to make watching football at home with your family feel like a special occasion. 
SLC Board of Education responds to Mendenhall’s proposed mask mandate for K-6 students