Mailbag

Dear BESE Members,

We are writing on behalf of frustrated parents, grandparents, and guardians across the state regarding the most recent proclamation issued by Governor Edwards on August 2, 2021 mandating masks across the state, including in K-12 schools. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education should consider the questions raised by parents concerning the constitutional rights of students.
Louisiana Constitution Article 8, Section 3(A) provides that BESE shall supervise and control the public elementary and secondary schools and special schools under its jurisdiction. In addition, in the absence of any specific legislative intent to the contrary, BESE may, if it chooses, adopt rules governing COVID-19 safety protocols, such as temperature checks, the option of mask mandates or exceptions to mask mandates, and other protocols that BESE determines are needed.
Please use this authority to act on behalf of parents and local school leaders, just as your Board agreed to do earlier in the pandemic. BESE can establish a position that gives direction to each school board based on local health risks.
On behalf of parents across our districts, we stand united for BESE control and respect for parental rights in these matters. Our schools did well last year when the state provided the direction and resources required to manage their affairs. These local education leaders are ready to move forward at your direction to deliver continued success and safety for their students.
Please use your Constitutional authority to protect Louisiana families and give direction to our local school boards and its parents.
Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to our urgent request.

Humbly,
(Editor’s Note: This letter was authored by House Education Vice Chairman Mark Wright and signed by 63 House of Representatives members including the following local members)
Clay Schexnayder
State Representative
House District 81
(Speaker of the House)
Rhonda Butler
State Representative
House District 38
Dewith Carrier
State Representative
House District 32
Phillip DeVillier
State Representative
House District 41
Daryl Deshotel
State Representative
House District 28