Bethalto CUSD 8 Superintendent Jill Griffin canceled school Friday after what she called “a very difficult and disruptive week,” in order to prepare for a special school board meeting Monday.
Details about the special meeting have not yet been released, but regularly scheduled school board meetings typically begin at 6 p.m. and are held at the Administration Center located at 101 School St. in Bethalto.
Several Bethalto parents planned an “Unmask our kids rally” early Friday morning. Parents held signs at the corner of Old Bethalto Rd. and W. 2nd St. as early as 6:45 a.m. in a peaceful protest against continued mask mandates after Sangamon County Judge Raylene Grischow granted a temporary restraining order on masking in schools.
Grishchow’s order forbids Gov. J.B. Pritzker from ordering public schools to require students, teachers and others to wear masks while in school buildings. Pritzker immediately appealed the order, with the appellate court expected to expedite the case.
The rally – which was planned before school was canceled for the day – was held early so as not to disrupt classes and so students could attend before school started at 8:30 a.m. if they wanted to. The rally was still held despite school cancellations.
“These kids are true patriots for standing up for their liberty while being excluded from their classrooms and friends,” an event flier stated. “High school students are being threatened that if they don’t mask up and go back to class, they will not be able to participate in sports/dance teams. This needs to stop now.”
Participants were encouraged to bring signs and flags.
“This is peaceful so no need for chanting or shouting, just hold the signs and stand in solidarity,” the flier stated.
Griffin’s email reads in its entirety:
February 10, 2022
Dear Bethalto Families,
I’m reaching out in the midst of a very difficult and disruptive week in our school community. We understand that there are varying opinions about masks and other Covid mitigations. The District has spent the week trying to navigate these opinions while educating kids and keeping kids safe.
Throughout this week, our administration has been exploring avenues to make masks optional. Our goal was to bring a plan to the Board the middle of next week while we continued to plan for those who are immunocompromised or at high risk if they contract Covid. We wanted to make masks optional responsibly and in a way that supports all of our staff, students, and families regardless of opinion.
However, the disruption has become too great. Additionally, we are also receiving emails and calls from families who are concerned about the safety of their students tomorrow, due to posts on social media and chatter throughout the community. As a result, we will be taking an emergency day tomorrow, February 11th, in order to plan for a special board meeting on Monday night and the impact of the Board’s decision. This means there will be no school tomorrow, February 11th. We will return to school on Monday, still in a mask required environment. We need some additional time over the weekend and on Monday, before the Board meeting, so that we have the necessary time to put mitigations in place for our vulnerable populations. We ask that, if you disagree with masks in school, you consider wearing a mask for one more day to prevent further disruption to the school district.
Respectfully,
Jill Griffin, Ed.D., Superintendent