By: Luke Matheson
The Sheridan School Board voted against a mandatory mask mandate for students during the 2021-22 school year in their monthly meeting held Monday night at the Sheridan High School cafeteria.
The vote came after Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox issued a preliminary injunction against the law that Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed in April banning mask requirements by governmental entities late last week.
Fox ruled the law violates Arkansas’ constitution, saying it discriminates between public and private school students. He said it also infringes on the governor’s emergency powers, as well as the authority of county officials and the state Supreme Court.
Following comments made by parents both for and against a mask mandate for the school district School Board Member Wade Crosswhite made a motion to make the wearing of masks voluntary, yet encouraged. School Board Member Jan Caldwell seconded the motion before a 5-2 vote in favor of the motion was taken.
School Board members who voted in favor of the motion include Byron Hicks, Jeff Lisenby, Wade Crosswhite, Bryce Lunday, and Jan Caldwell, while Jeremy Orman and Jody Spann voted against.
In other news the Sheridan School District saw a drop in ACT Aspire scores across the majority of grades in the district over the past year compared to previous years. Virtual instruction was blamed for the reduction in testing numbers.
Sheridan School Superintendent Jerrod Williams was not in attendance for the meeting.
