The JCSD Board of Education, after a long-stretched-out debate, made the decision to table the issue regarding the mandatory mask mandate. As seen in an email by Ms. Laura Kacer, JCSD Superintendent sent out to all JCSD Students, Families and Staff at 3:50 pm Wednesday, September 15 2021. They will hold a closed session with district legal counsel in the upcoming days and hold a second special board meeting to vote on the matter. Now this was a small victory in a big fight to make sure JCSD students and staff's freedom of choice shall not be infringed upon. This is our time. Share the petition. Make your voice heard. See below for more information on the issue.

On Wednesday September 15th, 2021, at 8 am The Johnston Board of Education met, discussed and did not end up making a decision about mask-wearing. A new special board meeting will be taking place in the next couple of days. This meeting was held after a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order against Iowa’s ban on mask mandates in Iowa schools. Essentially, this returns the decision on mask-wearing and/or mask mandates in schools to local school boards. As seen In an email by Ms. Laura Kacer, JCSD Superintendent sent out to all JCSD Students, Families and staff at 9:51 am Tuesday, September 14th 2021. The Johnston board of education will most likely be going with the decision to mandate masks as seen here “The recommendation you will see on the agenda is that the board follow the CDC recommendations and require the use of masks as an additional mitigation effort for all PreK-12 students and staff when indoors, this includes vaccinated individuals.” 

On May 19th, 2021, after being passed by the house and senate of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, who became governor in 2017 and was elected by the people in 2018 signed a Iowa law banning mask mandates by schools and cities. As a student at Johnston high school I vividly remember this day the joy of seeing everyone's mental health visibly rising. And being able to talk to a face, not just a mask with a muffled voice. I don’t want back the muffled voices, gloomy attitude and most importantly my freedom of choice to wear a mask to be stolen and stripped away once again. And it’s not just me after countless conversations with the students at my school whether they choose to wear a mask or not. Every single last one believes in your freedom of choice and does not believe in forcing you to wear a mask. Not to mention COVID 19 vaccinations are widely and easily accessible to anyone over the age of 12. Even within miles of each school like the stores Walgreen and Wal-Mart both offer vaccinations. After hearing all this, I decided to make this petition so the students, families and staff of the Johnston Community School District have a voice in the decision on stripping away the freedom of students and choice to wear a mask.