FEBRUARY 25, 2022, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A3
It’s almost time... Egan Gardens
opens for a new season on March 4th.
Watch for your pansy
coupon in next week’s ad.
See you then!
Congress in several pack-
ages, was intended to
help cover pandemic-re-
... it's a situation that the
lated school expenses
superintendent needs to
like air filters or internet
be cautious of because
hotspots, and to help kids
catch up academically.
you have to have money
Bethell, director of
to pay for teachers
Zone 6, said that the dis-
trict wouldn’t be break-
and staff but to what
ing any laws by making
expense?
masks optional before
March 31.
“There’s a threat from
the state currently that if
— DANIELLE BETHELL
you don’t follow the laws,
Salem-Keizer School Board member
their funding would be
revoked. They're not in
violation of any federal
those dollars to the school, some would
state or law, it’s just a rule,” said Bethell.
say kids wouldn’t have access to certain
“It’s a threat and it’s a situation that the
things. But I disagree. I believe that we
superintendent needs to be cautious
live in a very comfortable community
of because you have to have money to
that provides access to kids in need.”
pay for teachers and staff but to what
The Salem-Keizer School District
expense? Whose lives are we really
expects to receive $140 million in federal
impacting overall in mental health and
COVID relief funds through September
all the way around?”
2023, distributed by the state education
Jonathan Modie, spokesperson for
department. That money, approved by
the Oregon Health Authority, said the
district would be breaking the law by
making masks optional before March
31 and would be subject to a civil pen-
alty of $500 per day per violation.
“They would be breaking the law,
and no, there are no loopholes,” Modie
said in an email. “Our recommendation
is that schools do the right thing for
the safety and health of their students,
teachers, staff, families and communi-
ties and just wait until the mask require-
ment for schools lifts on March 31.”
NEWS
TIPS?
During a phone interview on Feb.
18, school board chair Osvaldo Avila
echoed what Superintendent Christy
Perry has said at previous school board
meetings.
“Our superintendent has provided
and laid out the steps for us to make
a decision. We are awaiting additional
guidance from the Oregon Health
Authority and we will then make an
informed decision on what we will do
after March 31,” Avila said.
If it's happening
in Keizer, or to someone
from Keizer —
WE WANT TO KNOW.
kt@keizertimes.com
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WE HAVE MOVED >>> Our new location is 4157 Cherry Avenue, Keizer <<< 503-362-5611
The rally drew hundreds of parents and students from across the district.
Photo by MATT RAWLINGS of Keizertimes
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