Update from 2:41 p.m., June 16
Lingering controversy over mask-wearing in schools has caused the Franklin Community Schools Board of Trustees to again reschedule their June meeting.
On Monday the board chose to cancel their meeting when un-masked members of the public refused to comply with Gov. Eric Holcomb’s mask mandate for schools.
On Wednesday the school district announced the meeting is being moved to July 12. This date change will put the next meeting after the end of the governor’s current mask mandate, which is set to expire June 30, assuming it is not extended.
“As a district, we want to hear from our stakeholders and the Governor’s Executive Order … was causing tension. By moving the meeting to July that tension will be removed,” said Robin Betts, spokesperson for the district.
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Un-masked meeting attendees forced the Franklin Community Schools Board of Trustees to reschedule their Monday meeting.
About six individuals refused to wear masks at the meeting, though Gov. Eric Holcomb’s mask order remains in effect for schools until June 30, said Robin Betts, spokesperson for Franklin schools.
School officials asked the attendees to put on masks, per the order, but they would not, prompting the school board to cancel the meeting, Betts said.
At about 7:09 p.m., nine minutes into the meeting, Franklin police were called to back up the school resource officer in attendance at the meeting, according to the police report.
Seeing the crowd wasn’t going to comply, the board decided to cancel the Monday meeting and meet instead at 7 p.m. Thursday, in the LGI room at Franklin Community High School, 2600 Cumberland Drive.
Since the meeting never really got underway, Betts did not know what business the attendees had with the school board, she said.
The new meeting agenda has a note that masks are required per the governor’s order.
Those who wish to see what is happening at the meeting without having to wear a mask can watch the board’s livestream on YouTube. The public may also comment on the livestream to ask the board a question.
