EL CAJON, Calif. (KGTV) – Officials from several San Diego County school districts came together Monday to call on Gov. Newsom to establish an endemic plan for California.
Last week, Newsom said he would soon announce new strategies as the state shifts toward the endemic stage.
The governor mentioned the endemic approach to the coronavirus pandemic would include changes to California’s K-12 school mask policy. Newsom also said a potential plan would continue to emphasize COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots.
RELATED: California to soon begin 'endemic' approach to pandemic
The group School Board Members for Local Control -- comprised of officials from multiple local school districts -- gathered for a Monday morning news conference to ask Newsom to allow for “local control” when it comes to mask protocols among students and staff. They are also hoping that the governor ends the State of Emergency in California.
Additionally, the group wants the ability to “oppose and veto any piece of legislation that removes personal belief exemptions for vaccinations for students and staff” included in any endemic plan.
In a news release, Andrew Hayes, a Lakeside school board member and organizer of School Board Members for Local Control, stated, “The first priority of School Board Members is to ensure all students are receiving and have access to a quality public education … School Board Members have a responsibility to advocate for our districts and communities. Local control allows us to do just that by making decisions based on local conditions. Every district and community are different. One size fits all policy from Sacramento places unnecessary burdens on families, teachers, staff, and district administrators.”
Hayes said the following local school officials have pledged support of the School Board Members for Local Control efforts:
- Joe Perricone – Alpine Union School District Board Member
- Katy Moretti – Julian Union High School District Board President
- Dawn Perfect – Ramona Unified School District Board Member
- Rodger Dohm – Ramona Unified School District Board Member
- Megan Epperson – La Mesa Spring Valley School District Board Member
- Sarah Rhiley – La Mesa Spring Valley School District Board Member
- Jo Alegria – Cajon Valley Union School District Board Member
- Tamara Otero – Cajon Valley Union School District Board Member
- Karen Clark-Mejia – Cajon Valley Union School District Board Member
- Jim Miller – Cajon Valley Union School District Board Member
- Jee Manghani – Rancho Santa Fe Unified School District Board President
- Lara Hoefer-Moir – Lakeside Union School District Board Member
- Dane White – Escondido Union High School District Board Member
- Dustin Burns – Santee Union School District Board Member
- Annette Ross – Rancho Santa Fe Unified School District Board Member
- Bob Stoody - Ramona Unified School District Board Member
- Rose Rohatgi - Rancho Santa Fe Unified School District Board Member
- Jill Barto - Cajon Valley Union School District Board Member
- Joan Gardner - Escondido Union School District Board Member
