I want to thank my BESE colleagues for being courageous last week. Eight BESE members stood strong against a disrespectful, disobedient and unlawful crowd of protesters. Louisiana is leading the nation in the rising number of COVID-19 cases, and the highly contagious Delta variant is deadlier than the original strain of the virus. Our hospitals are swamped with COVID patients, and we are in a state of emergency. Governor Edwards properly issued an indoor mask mandate to keep Louisianans safe. Our teachers and our children are in danger.
The Governor’s lawful mandate applies to state buildings and school buildings. When members of the audience at last week’s BESE meeting refused to comply and wear a mask while in a state building, it took courage for my colleagues to make it clear that the audience had a choice: comply with state law or we would adjourn the meeting. The audience refused to comply; we adjourned the meeting. It’s real simple, everybody. Wear a mask. Comply with the law. Save lives.
I’ve watched too many friends and colleagues like Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, State Representative Steve Carter, Baton Rouge Downtown Development Director Davis Rohrer, James Barrow (Senator Regina Barrow’s husband) and countless others die from this virus. We simply want to keep you and your children safe.
That said, while BESE has broad authority to supervise and control K-12 education and adopt rules governing COVID-19 safety protocols, we do not have the authority to overturn the Governor’s mask mandate, not in the midst of a public health crisis. Given the state of emergency, the Governor has the legal authority to take immediate and swift action to protect the lives of teachers and students and the general public. To be clear, while I strongly believe in free speech, this is not a free speech issue. It is a health and safety issue. Bottom line, a BESE meeting is not the appropriate forum to challenge the legal authority of the Governor’s mask mandate.
Courage is protecting the health and safety of our children. Courage is standing tall in the face of a defiant crowd who won’t follow the law or public policy. I’m proud to serve with my very responsible BESE colleagues, who care more about health, safety and education, than politics and petty name calling.
P.S. Get vaccinated, Louisiana!
Preston Castille
BESE, District 8
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