Masking due to COVID-19 has caused people to quarrel from the beginning of the pandemic, especially within the school setting.

A number of parents are upset that their children have to wear a mask, as they feel that is a deterrence for learning and unhealthy for their kids to wear during school hours. These parents argue that it should be the family’s choice if their child should wear a mask or not.

Some local parents put forth an effort the last few months to recall members of the Fargo Public School Board for continuing a mask mandate, among other complaints.

Parents have even taken measures to remove their children from the district after the announcement for mandatory masking. 

Nonetheless, Fargo South and all schools within the district are still maintaining their strict policy on mandatory masks. Students who do not wear their face masks properly are asked to pull them up for their safety and others surrounding them. 

The school board has continued its mandatory masking even with its expired mask mandate in the state of North Dakota. Fargo Cass Public Health has guided Fargo Public Schools with their policy on masking and has been since this summer.

Recently a Fargo Public Schools board member proposed that the schools drop the mask mandate immediately. The board member argued that the cases of Coronavirus are dropping lower but failed to provide exact numbers. The board has delayed their decision until their September 28th meeting.

“Every decision that we make at the core of it should be about that (regarding the children).” Said Jennifer Benson during the September 28th school board meeting. Benson’s proposal to end the mask mandate was voted down by a 5-2 motion by the school board.