Hundreds Protest Cobb Schools Mask Policy, On Both Sides

COBB COUNTY, GA — As many as 200 people gathered outside the Cobb County School District's headquarters in Marietta Thursday night — the second mask-related protest in the last two weeks — just before the school board was set to start its official meeting.

Last week, parents rallied outside the headquarters to urge the board to mandate masks in Cobb County schools since COVID-19 cases are on the rise — sending an entire fifth grade class home from Cobb's East Side Elementary School. They were met by a group of parents who were pushing for the opposite, and praising the district's existing optional mask policy.

At Thursday's protest, some signs read, "Protect our children and teachers," "Masks make all school kids safe," The Marietta Daily Journal reported. Others read,"We support choice and freedom" and "Unmask our kids." Similar signs were on display last week, too.

But the board did not vote to require masks at the meeting following the protest.

"When looking at school districts that have mask mandates in place, some districts have higher numbers than us, while some have lower numbers than us. Mandatory masking is not without a cost. We recognize that there are negative impacts to school-age children properly wearing a mask during the duration of the school day. The data analysis is obviously very complex during this pandemic.

"We have made a continuous effort to allow families to have a choice, both in the type of instruction, whether it be face to face or virtual, and in the decision about what is best for their families in regards to masks. We have also encouraged vaccinations but believe it’s also a personal choice for each employee, student and family to make based on their individual situation. At this time, I do not believe it is appropriate to mandate either decision, which would remove the ability for each family to make the best decision for them as a family," Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said.

Additionally, COVID-19 policy discussions caused an argument between board members over whether rising COVID-19 cases was considered an "emergency" and could constitute adding COVID-19 protocol discussion to the agenda. Last-minute changes to the agenda are allowed if they are "emergency, time-sensitive things that you couldn't have foreseen to be added," said Nina Gupta, the board's attorney.

Board Member Tre Hutchins, one of the board's three Democratic members, asked the board to make a motion to discuss COVID-19 protocol due to the unexpected nature of rising cases. Board Chair Randy Scamihorn, one of the board's four Republican members, said no.

"This is not an emergency," Scamihorn said.

However, the board did announce it will expand virtual learning options later this fall in the Cobb Online Learning Academy and Elementary Virtual Program that will open in January, allowing parents to choose another learning option for the second semester.

More information on the expanded programs and how families can apply will be announced at a future date.

Related:

• Second Mask Mandate Protest Planned For Cobb School Board Meeting
• East Cobb School Sends 5th Graders Home Due To COVID-19 Spike