Virginia School Board Tries To Flee Parents as They’re Served Subpoenas for Defying Youngkin Exec-Order on Masks – Opinion

Although Governor Glenn Youngkin issued a command to schools throughout the state that they not apply mask mandates to children’s education, Frederick County Public School refused to comply with the order. Now they’re paying for their hubris as parents are taking the fight to the school board.

Video footage from a school board meeting recently showed parents were serious about business. Just as the meeting was about to end, a man came up to the podium and started handing out subpoenas. With the understanding of what was happening dawning on them, the school board members attempted to gather their things and leave but the parents weren’t having it.

“You broke the law and now we’re coming after you guys,” said one angry parent. “You broke the law this week then you stand up there and run your mouth about things.”

Brian Hester of one member walked away quickly, refusing to sign the papers. He was being called back by angry parents to return.

Virginia Board of Directors appoints parents to review mask mandates🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/jGHM8JCI8O

— Libs of Tik Tok (@libsoftiktok) February 7, 2022

According to The Northern Virginia Daily, Hester, along with Bradley Comstock, Ellen White, and Michael Lake, all voted to defy Youngkin’s mandate in a 4-3 vote. The move was opposed by Miles Adkins, Linda Martin and Brandon Monk.

Youngkin’s executive order states that schools boards are no longer permitted to make decisions about whether children wear masks. It leaves it up to parents to do so. Frederick County children who refused to wear masks were subjected to different treatment. Parents claimed their child had been intimidated or threatened by the parents.

Riddell Bellido stated that Riddell Bellido’s child was not allowed to return to school after Jan. 25 because he wouldn’t wear a face mask. Some teachers were accused of forcing students into wearing masks. She also claimed that some children have been bullied online for not following the rules.

“These children are receiving threats, they’re being told that they stink and they need to get out of the school to make the school smell better,” she said. “They’re being told they’re selfish, and education is being withheld. They’re not being given an education while they’re in these isolated places.”

Several parents who are part of the lawsuit claim that students and teachers intimidate and threaten their children. They compared the separation of masked and unmasked children to “segregation” and said the unmasked students are being treated as outcasts. Many parents also wrote that masks restrict expression and hinder learning, which in turn can distract from schoolwork.

Also, the suit claims that exemptions for religious and medical reasons have been denied or not recognized. Moreover, school administrators have ignored students’ medical directives for exemptions by claiming the directives given by doctors were based on “unfounded cause.” Parents argue this violates Virginia Code 54.1-2902, practicing medicine without a license.

In addition to the lawsuit, the suit mentions that the mask mandates are centered on money. $10.7 million was given by the American Rescue Plan Elementary School Emergency Relief Fund grant. This grants requires K-12 students to have mask mandates in order for them receive.

Ridell-Bellido called out the School Board on this, saying they were “utilizing our children as pawns to keep federal funding coming in.”

“I’d never in a million years would think in our lifetime that this would be a fight that we’d be fighting,” she later added. “More than that, never in my lifetime did I think that this will be a fight our children have to fight.”

Frederick County isn’t the only place where parents are making sure they’re the ones in charge of their own children. Loudoun County Schools Board has also been sued over its mask policy.