Masks or no masks in schools?

NORWALK — Seven people are running for three spots on the Norwalk City Schools board of education in November. Running are incumbents Ralph Ritzenthaler, Steve Linder and Beth Schnellinger, along with Shannon Mason, Alison Crawford, Jim Lawrence and Jeremy Norris. We asked each candidate five questions and will run their answers (one a day) this week: Q: With numbers spiking around the state (as of Sept. 17, 58 percent of Ohio schools have a mask mandate), would you be in favor of a mask mandate for K-12 students? Ralph Ritzenthaler We are well aware of the spiking numbers in the war against COVID-19. Our Superintendent Brad Cooley and his staff are in touch with the Huron County Health Department and other county and city health officials daily. Whether we go to all masks, or masks as an option seems to be a day to day decision. I really don't know of anyone who wants to wear a mask all day at school, but we will just have to wait and see to evaluate our COVID-19 numbers as time goes on. All recommendations will come from the superintendent, if we go fully masked, or stay with the option. As a school board, we will need to support the superintendent's decision which is based on all information and recommendations of our local health officials to protect all in our schools. We live in a great small city. I feel we care about each other, whether it is our family, friends, or neighbors. It is deeply apparent that our community wants what is best for all our young residents. We might not all agree on a particular subject like masks, but we must band together to defeat our enemy COVID-19. Steve Linder I will support our superintendent. Jim Lawrence No. Masks should be between the parent and child. However, if the state should mandate masks we would have to comply rather than lose hundreds of thousands of school-funding dollars. If masks were mandated by the state, I would approach ALL local surrounding schools and try to get them to join in a class-action lawsuit demanding that parents be the sole decider as to if their child will wear a mask. Beth Schnellinger When making decisions that affect our students, teachers and staff, there are many factors to consider. A decision would be based on reliable sources and in collaboration with health care facilities. Alison Crawford No response. Shannon Mason No response. Jeremy Norris No response.