Let’s unite to keep our schools open

The 2021-22 school year is about to begin. While we all hoped it would be different from 2020, it appears this school year has much in common with 2020. I refer to Covid-19.

I appeal to the Kalispell community to work together as a united community to keep our students in school. One goal of the Kalispell School board this year is to keep kids in school, every day and all day. We did it last year and we can do it again this year if we work together.

We, the Kalispell community, has to commit to keeping our kids safe and commit to keeping our schools open. In person instruction is best for our students. We want the best for our community, therefore we must have another full year of in-person instruction.

School trustees are responsible for listening to their communities and for establishing goals for public schools. Based on those responsibilities, On Aug. 10, the board agreed to have students return to school without requiring masks. Trustees agreed, however, that masks are strongly recommended. We also agreed to revisit that decision should the cases of the delta variant become more prevalent in the Flathead Valley. Trustees need the help of the united community. It is time for all of us to walk the talk.

We are all tired of wearing masks and socially distancing, but we are eager to have our kids get back to class and stay in class. Trustees heard a lot about personal responsibility this past year. It is time to walk the talk.

Trustees have better things to do than argue with each other and with community members about wearing a mask or not wearing a mask. This arguing only divides our community. We need to unite as a community to keep our students safe, our schools open and our community healthy.

The highly contagious delta variant could reduce staff available to work in our schools. Without bus drivers, food service workers, janitors, teachers, para-educators our schools cannot stay open and our activities cannot happen. I urge the Kalispell community to use that personal responsibility that was the loud rallying cry this past year, to support the valley school systems as they work hard to educate every person in every public school, according to the Montana Constitution.

Let’s unite to keep our community safe and our schools open- not because of a mandate but because it is the right thing to do. I appeal to the entire community to take sensible precautions in our daily lives. Please practice social distance, wash hands, stay home if you feel sick, get vaccinated and wear a mask indoors.

Now is the time to show personal responsibility and be part of a united community. Time for us to walk the talk!

Sue Corrigan is chair of the Kalispell School Board.