•July 28, 2021•
By Ariana Cherry
NP Writer

The biggest item on the table at the most recent ALAH School Board meeting was how the students in the district would have a safe return to school and whether they would return wearing a mask.
Local resident, member of the District #305 Education Foundation and an officer for the alumni association, Marty Yeakel, voiced her concerns.
“The things I want to relate are I’m sure all things that you are aware of and have probably talked about yourselves many times, but I feel it’s important for members of the community to stand before you and let you know what they are thinking. My hope and the hope of many I believe is that our kids do not have to return to school this fall with masks. I know there has been a lot of talk about local control and that Superintendent Cheek, along with many other superintendents, has signed a letter to the governor reminding him that schools should be able to make these decisions to do what is best for their district. Wearing masks or not wearing masks should be a choice made by families.” Yeakel ended her comments with a quote from Thomas Jefferson: “I know of no safe repository for the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to increase their discretion by education.” Afterward, she thanked the board and the administration for the job that they have done this past year in “an unprecedented situation,” and let them know their work is appreciated.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.