The Ritzville Adams County Journal - Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887

HARRINGTON — As school boards throughout Lincoln County are grappling with the new coronavirus prevention restrictions, Harrington School Principal Tiffany Clouse said one thing is certain.

“It is incredibly clear that if you want to have kids in the building, you will be wearing masks,” Clouse told the Harrington School Board at their June 24 meeting that was held on the Zoom internet platform.

Face masks were a hot topic for school board members, even before the Washington State Governor’s order mandating masks for all Washingtonians on June 26.

Harrington School Board Chair Shannon Sewall said she was wondering if Clouse had heard from parents about their intent not to send their children to school if masks were required.

“We sent an email survey to parents,” Clouse responded. “We are a small school, so it is easier for us to social distance. I don’t like wearing them (masks) but to have kids in the building, I am going to do it.”

School Board Member Darren Mattozzi also weighed in on the topic, voicing skepticism that students would not return in the fall.

“Anyone can be strong on a computer with a pair of thumbs,” he said, referencing comments made by parents about masks on social media. “But it’s not the same as pulling your kids out of school.”

Harrington Superintendent Wayne Massie said the district doesn’t have a projection for how many students will be in school next year. The K-12 school had 122 students in 2019-20.

“We are working to have our reopening plan ready by Aug. 1,” Massie said. “It’s a difficult process as the situation keeps changing.”