- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Lakeport Unified School Board approves resolution asking state not to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations
The action makes Lakeport Unified the third Lake County district to take such action over the last two days, all involving a similarly worded resolution being shared among the districts.
It came hours after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention authorized Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine boosters for 16- and 17-year-olds.
The resolution specifically addresses Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Oct. 1 announcement that he would mandate that the COVID-19 vaccine be added to the list of required vaccinations for students to have for in-person instruction, and that school employees also would be required to be vaccinated.
Newsom’s action made California the first state in the nation to announce vaccine requirements for schools.
A month later, the CDC recommended the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11.
State health officials reported that California’s K-12 safety measures have helped keep schools open. While California is home to 12% of school students in the United States, it has accounted for less than 1% of the nation’s school closures.
In Lake County, no school closures have been reported, which also has been credited to stringent safety policies.
On Wednesday evening, the Lucerne Elementary School Board approved its version of the resolution, said Superintendent/Principal Mike Brown.
Also on Wednesday, the Konocti Unified School District Board approved its own resolution.
Middletown Unified’s board will consider a resolution opposing the vaccine mandate at its regular board meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 15, Superintendent Tim Gill told Lake County News.
Kelseyville Unified and Upper Lake Unified both have final regular meetings for the year scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 14.
Kelseyville Unified has not responded to questions about whether it plans to consider a resolution opposing the vaccine mandate and its agenda had not been posted as of Thursday night.
In Upper Lake, where the agenda was available on Thursday, it did not include such a resolution.
Lake County News asked the California Department of Public Health if the agency had received requests from other school districts similar to those being made by local districts.
As of early December, CDPH said it is aware of communication from six districts — out of 1,037 statewide — requesting changes or modifications to the COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
“At a time when COVID-19 case rates remain at concerning levels, we must do everything to protect our kids — now is not the time to let our guard down, especially as the winter months approach and many students remain unvaccinated. California already requires students to be vaccinated against viruses like measles, mumps and rubella — there’s no reason COVID-19 should be treated any differently. Our K-12 safety measures have resulted in California leading national trends in preventing school closures due to outbreaks and keeping students in-person,” the agency said in a statement released to Lake County News.
School board discusses resolution, receives public comment
Ahead of taking up the resolution on Thursday night, Lakeport Unified’s board selected its new leadership for the coming year, electing Phil Kirby as president and Carly Alvord as clerk.
About 15 people were in the audience in the small district office meeting room to hear the discussion, with nearly two dozen more attending via Zoom. Ten people commented on the resolution, with seven of those questioning mandating the vaccine and the science behind COVID-19 safety measures, raising issues of government overreach and making comparisons to segregation.
Three spoke about the need to protect the community and follow the science, and maintaining that the vaccines are safe and effective. One woman castigated the board for taking up the resolution, contending they were putting their employees and the community at risk.
Trustee Jennifer Hanson said she didn’t think the resolution was necessary, that the state was going to do what it wanted to do. For parents who are concerned, she said they should be talking to state legislators.
Hanson, who said she had gotten quite a few emails from people opposed to the resolution, said she opposed it, too, explaining that she believes the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the concerns.
She also asked for a minor addition to the resolution’s language, that “some” be added to the 11th paragraph so that it would read, “Some Lakeport Unified School District parents have expressed concern regarding the unknown long-term impacts of the COVID-19 vaccine on children and their development.” The board unanimously approved that addition.
Superintendent Matt Bullard emphasized that the resolution was ahead of there actually being a vaccination requirement in place at the state level.
He said the district is in favor of not having a mandate, adding, “There is not an existing requirement,” either for students or staff.
Bullard said the resolution is asking the state not to simply rely on only one strategy — a mandate — to increase vaccination rates and participation.
Since the governor’s Oct. 1 announcement, Bullard said legislators have gotten in on the conversation.
If the governor’s mandate goes through, Bullard said there will be a personal belief exemption. If the Legislature gets involved and creates a mandate, that personal belief exemption can be removed. The Legislature reconvenes in January.
During the discussion, an audience member asked if independent study would be available if the state enforces the mandate.
“The real answer is, we’ll see what they come up with,” Bullard said.
Board member Dan Buffalo explained that the board was saying with the resolution that it sees a risk and there are negative consequences if the state moves in this mandate direction. “I don’t want to risk not having students in the classroom.”
Buffalo wanted to make another edit to the resolution to strongly encourage parents, students and employees to get vaccinated, but other board members disagreed with it and would not add the language. Kirby noted the resolution already said the district would continue partnering with Public Health.
Even without the change, Buffalo said he supported the resolution because he believes the mandate will do more harm than good
Board members Alvord, Buffalo, Kirby and Jennifer Williams-Richardson voted to pass the resolution, with Hanson voting no.
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