Missouri School Boards Association Director Questions A.G.

State Attorney General Eric Schmitt is suing Columbia Public Schools and any Missouri K-12 public school requiring students and staff to wear masks. Schmitt, a Republican running for U.S. Senate, says a mask mandate “flies in the face of science, especially given children’s low risk of severe illness and death and their low risk of transmission.” Melissa Randol, executive director of the Missouri School Boards’ Association, questions the attorney general’s decision and data he is referring to.

Republicans have traditionally supported local control. Randol says she is not advocating for mask requirements but instead wants health experts to help guide schools in their local safety measures.