OCDSB board trustee reintroducing mandatory mask motion amidst sixth COVID-19 wave

The debate over wearing masks in schools at Ottawa’s public school board isn’t over yet.

Mark Fisher, an Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) trustee, says he will be introducing a motion to implement a mask mandate as cases the city rides the sixth COVID-19 wave.

“Based on the #COVID19 situation in #Ottawa and the impact it’s having on staff and students and keeping classrooms open, today I’ve given notice that I’ll introduce a motion, as soon as possible, to require masks in @OCDSB buildings again,” he wrote in a tweet published on Saturday, April 9.

The next committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 12 at 7 p.m.

On March 21, the province lifted mask mandates in most public spheres, including in schools.

However, this decision didn’t sit well with the city’s largest school board.

Prior to the official move to life masks from the province on March 14, OCDSB trustees debated to keep them mandated in classroom following feedback from parents and staff.

“We’ve got about 25 to 30 per cent of the people writing me saying they want us to align completely with the province and lift all measures and mandates,” Mark Fisher, OCDSB trustee, told CityNews on March 14, adding that the board has the responsibility to discuss all factors involved. 

“We certainly do have the authority to have this discussion and to determine what we need to do,” he said. “I would say though, the authority is strong for our employees than it is for our students.”

However, following the board’s meeting that same night, trustees voted not to keep the mask mandate in place after students returned from March Break.

The vote tied 6-6, meaning it failed.

“I think that mirrors the division that we hear in the community, generally,” Lynn Scott, chair of the OCDSB, told The Rob Snow Show on March 15. “Perhaps even more broadly across the country.”

Adding, “Let's face it, many families are still very, very scared,” Scott said. “They may have families who are immunocompromised or, otherwise, at higher risk if they get COVID. They are really worried that this could lead to more exposure for people who are at risk of severe disease.”

– With files from CityNews' Scott Stoodley