Column: Masks will be optional for DCS students

On Monday, August 2 at 6:30 p.m., the Davidson County Schools Board of Education held a meeting at Davis-Townsend Elementary School to vote on whether to make masks mandatory for students heading into the 2021-2022 school year.  

The meeting room was packed full of Davidson County citizens, students, parents, teachers and others willing to spend their evening advocating for students in the county. Some proudly held American flags, and some yielded poster board signs in protest.  

Davidson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Emily Lipe commenced by explaining the risks and benefits of mask mandates versus optional masks being allowed, as well as what COVID-19 measures would still be in place, regardless, per CDC guidelines.

Those in the crowded room immediately erupted, mostly in celebration, cheering and applauding as the decision was announced. A unanimous 5-0 vote by school board members resulted in Ashley Hicks Carroll, Kristie Bonnett, Alan Beck, Neil Motsinger and Christy Jones agreeing masks for Davidson County students will be optional going into the school year, leaving the decision up to parents and students.

After the decision was reached, Beck, the school board chair, opened the floor for pre-approved citizens of the community to speak on the issue. However, Beck motioned and the board concurred that the originally agreed upon five-minute time limit would be shortened to three minutes per person.

The vast majority of those who attended, and all who spoke, weren’t in favor of any mask mandate for students, all stressing individual rights. Speakers included Dr. Ron Baity, pastor of Berean Baptist Church, Officer Tripp Kesler, Donnie Deal, Tiffany Brister, Kristin Kiger, Donna Hash, several parents and school officials who strongly and passionately shared their opinions.

Polly Leonard quickly became the talk of the night when she began her speech addressing the board and was asked, almost immediately, to leave the meeting. Leonard began her statement saying, “Alright, well, I'm glad to know you guys finally used your common sense and oxygenated your brain cells enough to decide to let these kids breathe.” Beck stopped her mid-sentence and refuted, “Polly, Polly, go ahead and stop. Don't start with doing that to us right off the bat after we made a vote. You can just go ahead and leave.” Leonard interjected, “So, you're not going to allow me my First Amendment right?” Beck interrupted with, “No, you're not going to start talking to us like that right off the bat! You need to leave.” Leonard fired back, “Because you don't want to hear the truth!” before complying and leaving the room.

Once again, those in the room seemed to gasp and loudly erupt in surprise at this turn of events, urging “Let her speak,” opining “It’s her right,” and demanding “We want to hear what she has to say.” However, the pleas resulted in a lack of success. 

Outside, after the meeting, Leonard, who sat on the bed of her pickup truck with her notes by her side, was asked if she would like to share her prepared statement. She was appreciative of the opportunity and delivered her speech as a crowd quickly gathered around to listen to what she had to say as she advocated for children in Davidson County.

“In conclusion, it’s apparent that everyone simply wants the best for the children in Davidson County. Although certainly some will disagree. It seemed as if most everyone in attendance was pleased with the outcome of the school board's decision to ‘un-mask our children’ and allow them to begin school in a few weeks with masks being voted as optional, while following other CDC safety protocols.”