MVUSD Board Passes Resolution on Vaccine Mandates

At Hayfork High School on January 19, the Mountain Valley Unified School District board meeting focused on the board’s final vote on a resolution about vaccine mandates, as well as highlighted student involvement and accomplishments.

The school board voted on Resolution No. 2021/22-08 “Calling for State Officials to Not Require the COVID-19 Vaccine for Students and Staff.” Board Vice President Kenneth Wiley moved to approve the resolution while Heather Gossman seconded. All members were in agreement, with one absent, and approved the resolution that urges state officials to not require the COVID-19 vaccine for students or for staff. The resolution language states:

“Be it resolved, that the governing board of the Mountain Valley Unified School District opposes any mandate that requires COVID-19 vaccines for students and staff of TK-12 grade Local Education Agencies, and asks that the State Legislature continue all exemptions for COVID-19 vaccines. Be it further resolved, that the governing board of the Mountain Valley Unified School District will petition the State of California that the COVID-19 Vaccine be a recommendation and not a requirement for students and staff.”

For student involvement across the district, several teachers spoke on how much is really happening at the schools. HES Teacher Sunday Stanley highlighted that the student council is putting on monthly events starting this semester, and already held their first one. She said this was the first student-driven activity in two years. She also stated that the HES student council was also adjusted to now include the 5th grade class. HES is now gearing up for their Valentine’s Dance in February.

HHS Teacher Joanne Tucker shared highlights about the media class’s website HHS Timberline and that they’ve reached over 1,500 pageviews since launching. For theater and stage lighting, she said that grants are being sought to outfit the stage with modern, LED lighting.

HHS Teacher Morgan Rourke talked about his ag class’s big accomplishments and recent FFA events (stay tuned for another article from HHS Timberline highlighting these accomplishments).

HHS ASB President Andy Yang also highlighted other events happening at the high school, such as sweatshirt sales and how much students are enjoying the new ag class facilities, and the ASB holiday activities that took place at the end of the fall semester.

MVUSD Superintendent Anmarie Swanstrom reported the current enrollment at the district is 309. She also spoke on the team leaders at the elementary school while the district deals with the vacant principal position. “They’re working as a team, and I commend them on that,” she said. Stanley added to those comments about the team leaders and that it’s “working out well.”

Swanstrom added that at the high school, the statewide testing results showed that students are testing at to above average. “These are some of the best scores I have seen since we started this test,” she said. “I will just say, wow! Impressive.”

At the high school, Swanstrom is also working on WASC (Western Accreditation of Schools and Colleges) and reflecting on the state of HHS compared to three years ago, which was the last WASC visit. “Where we are now, there’s been a lot of growth; it’s quite amazing where we’re at at this high school.” This year’s WASC visit will happen virtually, she said.

Richard Olsen, head of construction, spoke at the meeting about the construction at HES. “Construction is definitely coming to the end,” Richard assured board members. He said that HES middle school wing and library is looking to move in Feb. 20.