Independence Local Schools lifts mask mandate, recognizes board members

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – Superintendent Ben Hegedish announced the lifting of the recent four-week mask mandate, effective at the end of the week, at the Tuesday, Jan. 18 regular Independence Board of Education meeting.

Board members unanimously granted Hegedish the authority to impose a mask mandate for up to two consecutive two-week periods at the beginning of the school year. Any extension beyond four weeks would require board approval. Hegedish explained the reasoning behind the mandate powers at Tuesday’s meeting.

“If I see us potentially heading for remote or having to shut a building down, we will, as a last-ditch attempt, put a mask mandate in place,” revealed the superintendent.

According to Hegedish, the most recent mandate, which included the week prior to Christmas break as well as all of January thus far, was driven by a surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases in and around the break. The superintendent cited zip code data, which includes numbers for Independence, Seven Hills and a slice of Brooklyn Heights, that revealed the testing positivity rate was at 37 percent just a few weeks ago. That number dropped to 17 percent in the most recent analysis.

The district will continue to “strongly recommend” masking when students return from a three-day weekend Monday, Jan. 24.

Although two board members were absent, the meeting included expressions of gratitude for the body as part of “School Board Recognition Month.”

“I just want to thank you guys for board support for everything you do for us as administrators,” said T.J. Ebert, primary school principal, prior to presenting the members with thank you cards from his students.

Hegedish echoed Ebert’s sentiments.

“Thank you guys for all you do … You make a difference for our kids and I see that every day,” commented the superintendent.

The board meeting and school itself only occurred Tuesday because of a team effort. Although both the city and the district lost trucks to breakdowns during the snowstorm cleanup, streets, sidewalks and school lots were free of snow and ice by early Tuesday.

“Our road crews in Independence were great,” remarked Hegedish, adding, “Our own maintenance crew just worked tirelessly.”

New business was fairly limited Tuesday. The board unanimously approved the school calendar for 2022-23. School will begin Aug. 24 and conclude June 7.

The board also unanimously approved a tentative settlement with Topgolf, located along Rockside Woods Boulevard North. The district had challenged the county’s $14 million valuation of the business, following the $37 million purchase of Topgolf by a Phoenix-based company in 2020. The district and the business eventually settled on a $26 million figure. Although the agreement has not been finalized, it could bring the schools up to $70,000 per year.

Finally, board members unanimously approved their own committee assignments for the year. The assignments tap each individual’s particular strengths and focus on finance, student life, city-school collaboration, 21st-century teaching and learning and facilities.

Jess Crooks, student wellness coordinator, kicked off the meeting with an informative presentation about efforts to actively engage students and others in creating a districtwide support network, which will also help to destigmatize mental and emotional health issues.