Round Rock ISD Board meeting has started. First several minutes of the livestream did not have audio. Right now, five board members are conferring with Bone off side of the stage. Danielle is in front of dais, greeting supporters and giving them instructions.
Audio problems on stage. Trustees can’t hear each other speaking. That’s a problem. Sounds like they should adjourn. With two of three topics off the table, best to reschedule and move back to regular board meeting. #RRISD @RoundRockISD
As always, Danielle Weston has her face in her mobile device. #RRISD
Audio has apparently been fixed. Public comment has begun. Students up first. Looks like the unmasked students are speaking. Kid up now doesn’t know the difference between censorship and censured. Crowd is eating it up. They don’t understand the difference, either. #RRISD
Student arguing now in favor of a mask mandate for safety and security of students, classmates, teachers, and family members.
Kindergarten student now speaking. Wearing mask. He wants his class to wear their masks so they’re all safe and can have fun at school. #RRISD
Senior at RRHS speaking now, asking for stricter enforcement of mask mandate. He has been quarantined because of close contact at school and worries about infecting his little sister. #RRISD
A student now speaking on behalf of an anonymous teacher who wants strong enforcement. Cases are “staggering.” “Listen to science, not political views.” #RRISD
Next student: Fourth grader who thinks the mask mandate need to be better enforced. #RRISD
Third grader is taking virtual learning now.Wants masks so they can return to class in person. #RRISD
Eighth grader “I think we should wear masks”. Senior at RRHS now speaking on continuation of mask mandate and stronger enforcement. #RRISD
Eighth grader: Quoting Abbott and is challenging mask wearing and mandates. Tells board they should be ashamed of themselves. What a hoot. Crowd goes WILD. (After laughing at the previous student speaker.)
Student Virtual speakers next up. Freshman at RRHS. 4,000 students at his school, few following mandate. Asking for greater enforcement. In favor of masks.
Next, third grader in favor of masks, always for safety. More kids will come to school if all kids wear masks. #RRISD
Another RRHS student, asking Board to listen to science and should not be political. Urging board to extend mask mandate and stronger enforcement. RRHS Senior now speaking, urging mask mandate and enforcement, especially for the youngest students who cannot get the vaccine.#RRISD
In-person adult speakers up next. Student now threatening the board for threatening her. Follow along on the Round Rock website. roundrockisd.org/about-rrisd/bo…
Crowd starts to get rowdy when time is called on a speaker. Boy, that didn’t take long. Board takes a five minute recess. #RRISD
Board back and public comment has resumed. It feels like an episode of “Real Housewives of Round Rock.” Slinging mud and making threats. Trustee Harrison makes a point of order and asks for decorum and staying on topic. #RRISD
Arrestee Dustin Clark from last week’s incident is now speaking and chastises Board for not working on student outcome. (He was still in jail on Saturday when the meeting on student outcome took place.) #RRISD
Now a speaker quoting Weston and the Bible. Doesn’t get that Weston and Bone are divisive. Calling Board members puppets. 🙄 Amber asks crowd to lower their signs so people participating virtually can do so. #RRISD
These anti-democracy speakers are living in an alternate reality. #RRISD
Parent who lost a child to Covid just spoke, reminding assembly the pain of that loss. Bone and Weston’s rowdy supporters now booing a speaker in favor of the mask mandate. #RRISD
Speaker now reminding that over 1100 students infected. Education Round Rock supports the censure of Bone and Weston. We have other problems but all the oxygen being taken out of the room by people who believe,” I do what I want and don’t care who gets hurt.” #RRISD
Now we have somebody speaking who thinks they know more than CDC scientists and experts. #RRISD
Next speaker is raving about Bone and Weston. Clearly someone uninformed. Also pretending to be a scientist. #RRISD
Another speaker talking falsely claiming the board is acting with lawlessness. The crowd goes wild again. #RRISD
Next speaker, RRISD parent representing 1300 parents, asking for mask mandate, enforcement, and protocols in line with public health officials. #RRISD
Parent of two students supports mask mandates and enforcement. Virtual student does not have option for vaccine. #RRISD
Next speaker up calls it like it is. They (Bone, Weston, and the crowd) lie, they cheat, they obstruct. Don’t let them get the best of you. Supports the censure. #RRISD Amber Feller asks the crowd to stop interrupting the crowd and be respectful whether you agree or disagree.
Next speaker “renounces” the censure of Bone and Weston. Clearly another uninformed person. Threatening other board members. Next up Don Zimmerman presents a resolution of his own on behalf of the two guys who were arrested. Asking for five other board members to resign. #RRISD
Next up a person trashing “liberals.” (She doesn’t know that most of the board are Republicans.) #RRISD
Next guy up is calling up churches, claiming 1930s Germany is playing out today. Really off the fucking rails. “Stand up for freedom!” Jesus Christ. #RRISD
Next speaker reads from an email sent out by Danielle Weston. But not everybody listening knows that. #RRISD
Chad Chadwell speaking in opposition to censure of Bone and Weston. Chadwell was sued by the previous district legal counsel for discrimination. #RRISD
Speaker in favor the censures and in favor of mask mandates. After that, Bone and Weston supporter who’s against the censures and loudly claims board members are authoritarian dictators. #RRISD
Who’s Chad Chadwell? statesman.com/news/20190905/…
Speaker now representing ACT, asking for an extension of the mask mandate with strong enforcement and supports the censure of Bone and Weston. Next speaker: now reading Weston’s Air Force record. Wonder where she got that? Kind of irrelevant to her current position. #RRISD
Next speaker now reading some other shit about Weston’s long ago service record, including data accuracy. This has nothing to do with her current position or politics. #RRISD
Next speaker is now talking about her two kids who graduated from a Christian Education who chose private school because of mistrust of the public education system. Not sure why she is speaking. #RRISD
Another speaker who doesn’t understand the difference between censure and censor. Also doesn’t understand that Weston and Bone are up for censure because they are bullying others and acting illegally. #RRISD Next up is speaker talking about the constitution and god given rights.
“Good morning hypocrites,” begins the next speaker. It’s 8:10 pm. And is now slinging total bullshit about other board members. These people are just wild. #RRISD
Seems like the angry anti-mask, anti-democracy speakers have lost focus and are swinging from the trees at this point. #RRISD
Next speaker asks for a mask mandate extension on behalf of the Texas ISD employees who have lost their lives to Covid and reads their names. #RRISD
Next speaker is parent of two students and also former RRISD teacher. Recalled the active shooter training in 2018. Over 50% of those diagnosed with Covid In Williamson are children. Guy who’s been here for two months is now talking. Trying to normalize Covid, joke at fear.
Last speaker closes with “Blessed are the fruit of the commanders of Gilead.” Now that’s some creepy ass shit right there.
Next speaker says she’s prayer Psalm 109.8 “over all of you.” (sounds like a high temperature to me) #RRISD
Another speaker applauds the Board. “Remember there are a lot of us who support you, we just don’t think we have to shout at you.” #RRISD
Next speaker: “Every kid has the right to a safe environment.” #RRISD
Another parent asks for the mask matrix in accordance with public health guidance, for continuity and education, and demonstrates to our children that we trust our doctors and nurses. #RRISD
Next speaker up. Parent of two students in RRISD. Board must extend the mask mandate. Both children have suffered anxiety and depression not understanding why adults aren’t keeping their health and safety. #RRISD
Speaker thanks Superintendent and Board putting safety and health of students first. Urges to keep mandates in place. Rough quote: “A person’s freedoms cannot abridge another’s right to health and life.” #RRISD
Board takes a break at 8:26 pm.
Speaker: Inciters of conspiracy and disinformation have no place in education, speaking in favor of censure of Bone and Weston. #RRISD
Next speaker asking for mask mandates and outdoor lunch for all schools in RRISD. #RRISD
Next speaker wants her kid to be in-person education but it’s not safe without masks. Notes the belligerence of people at this meeting. #RRISD Next speaker thinks he’s constitutional scholar & claims “maskers” are Nazis. (Clearly wasn’t paying attention in World History.)
Another speaker: support mask mandates and board. Voted for Bone and Weston but is very disappointed with their behavior. Reported that people at last meeting were chanting at her “go back to where you came from”—“those were your supporters. #RRISD
Next speaker is another one of those belligerent people shouting at the board & who clearly has not attended Civics 101 in middle school cuz she’s talking crazy about rights. #RRISD Guy in a suit who’s “new here” is supporting Bone Weston. Unbelievable. References “gang of five.”
“Anti-masker, I am not,” next speaker claims. Charges that the rest of the board and superintendent are unlawful “with your mask mandate policy.” Not using fact, she says. OMG. How do we get so many uninformed people at a board meeting? #RRISD
Parent of student up next, advocates for keeping mask mandate in place and is now daring to use actual data from RRISD schools to back up why he does so. Suggests that those using Nazi terms go to the National Holocaust Museum and become educated. Touché. #RRISD
Next speaker steps up to explain why she doesn’t know anything. I’m not even going to write down what she’s saying. #RRISD
Next speaker— opposes censure of Bone and Weston, claiming district leaders, rogue leaders who are non-compliance. Wow. #RRISD Next up parent of two kids thanks superintendent and five trustees for following the science and experts. Supports censure of Weston and Bone.
Same speaker: Is appalled at the racist behavior of Weston and Bone’s followers. #RRISD
Fifteen year RRISD teacher speaking now. Extend mask mandate, make vaccines available for all. Thanks the five board members acting with honor and integrity. #RRISD
Next speaker thanks board members. Charges Weston about gaining opt-out form from her doctor—not good example for the children. Please find the resources.
Speaker next: Mom of two students. Supports mask matrix. Next speaker: Parent of student. Son wants to extend and enforce mask mandate and outdoor lunch. Son is anxious about sitting in a room with unmasked students. Thanks five board members for professionalism and focus.
Same speaker slams Weston and Bone for lack of emotional maturity. Next speaker: Slams Weston for bragging about getting a medical exemption from her doc and for diminishing SPED students and not having respect for them. #RRISD
Speaker: OH NO, I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS UNMASKED ONE IS LEADING EVERYBODY IN PRAYER. JESUS H. CHRIST. #RRISD
I hope that’s the last time somebody pulls that kind of stunt in a public meeting. #RRISD Unmasked lady up next. Parents of students in RRISD, says Bone and WEston “have been fighting for your right to choose. Thank you for making a big commotion last week.
Next speaker attacks Vessa on Christianity. (Can you stand this?) Oh crap, another speaker who doesn’t understand censure versus censor. Have any of Weston & Bone’s supporters actually read the censure resolution? Next up another shouter. #RRISD
Oh, a speaker with a big sign on a big wooden stick. Hold up a toddler who doesn’t want masks. (I’m getting PTSD with all this crap.) Another speaker “I do not co-parent with the government.” (Where do they get these snappy lines?) Does not appear to want to keep others safe.
Another speaker (wonder how many people are waiting to speak via virtual option). Parent of two kids smacks at the five sane board members and student outcomes. #RRISD
Vessa’s husband is now taking the floor. 🙄 Oh shit, now quoting Bible verses again. He doesn’t understand that there is no compromising with terrorists. #RRISD
Next speaker: Parent of two kids in district. His first meeting. (Weston and Bone sent out a lot of emails!) Didn’t have anything to say except he’s awake and will be coming to more meetings. #RRISD
Another speaker who thinks they are qualified to give medical advice. #RRISD
First virtual speaker wants to know why the board is trying to silence her. (I can hear her just fine, can’t you?) Wanted to thank Bone and Weston. #RRISD
Next virtual speaker doesn’t understand censure versus censor. Speaks off topic. The famous Rikki Nelson is up next. I can do without hearing her craziness. Oh good, she left. Next speaker: here to talk about elephant in room about dead kids. Not sure of her point. #RRISD
Chaos, begins the next speaker. To reduce chaos, mandate masks. (I had a hard time hearing her.) #RRISD
Pizza just arrived. I’m taking a short moment away. #RRISD
Looks like the crowd has significantly thinned out. I guess all those belligerents have long drives to get home tonight.
Alrighty, I’m back. Listening to the virtual speakers so far, sure sounds like a majority of them want a robust mask mandate and many support the censure of Bone and Weston for failure to perform their duties as Trustees. #RRISD
Next speaker, a physician with kids in RRISD schools. Supports mask mandate and the need to protect kids and community. Quotes from an ACTUAL SCIENTIFIC STUDY that shows masks work. #RRISD
Next up: Thanks the board and supports mask mandate and outdoor lunch option. Has a kid in RRISD. References other district schools who already do outdoor lunch, asks for equity on the issue. #RRISD
Cannot hear the next speaker very well. Says she’s confused by people who say there’s no evidence that masks are effective. I think she wants a mask mandate. #RRISD
From the sounds of the nice applause, it appears there is quite a crowd of district supporters left in the room. The belligerents are pretty much gone and they left behind their Bone and Weston campaign signs. Next speaker thanks the five board members, supports the censures.
Next speaker: Weston and Bone supporter. (Bone and Weston have done some serious slandering of the other board members. It’s clear that many of these speakers are parroting emails from Bone and Weston.) #RRISD
Oooh, a belligerent is on the virtual rampage. Threatening, “all eyes are on you.” (I believe there’s a racial connotation to that statement, as in the eyes of Texas are on you. Can someone fact check that for me?) #RRISD
Next speaker: the safety of our kids is paramount, wants mask mandates. Also want censure of Bone and Weston, says, “I saw them. They were agitating the crowd [at last week’s meeting]. #RRISD
Next speaker: Well, it appears he a-okay with kids dying from Covid as long as they’re not his kids. Quotes 79 kids who died, and he appears to be arguing that that number is insignificant. 😳 #RRISD
Next speaker: Thanks RRISD for keeping her kids safe and they’re doing well with the mask mandate. (Couldn’t hear her well.) #RRISD
Next speaker, Mom of three in RRISD and asks to extend the mask mandate. Mandate is NOT illegal, she says. Holds dim view of anti-mask folks. #RRISD
Next speaker (I couldn’t hear the previous): Supports masks mandates and censure of Bone and Weston. #RRISD
Next speaker: mom of elementary school student. Chastises Bone and WEston for behavior last week and Bone for not showing up to the student outcome meeting last Saturday. #RRISD
Oh no, another person who believes she’s a medical expert and specifically something about C02 in the classroom due to mask wearing. Yeah. That’s been so debunked. (We’re seeing the negative impacts of poor education firsthand. We need our schools to do better.) #RRISD
Next speaker: Extend the mask mandate. Asks for censuring Weston and Bone, even though she voted for them. Detailed many of the reasons why she wants them censured. #RRISD
Next speaker: An attorney. Vote for mask mandates. NOT ILLEGAL. Slams Bone and Weston for knowingly misleading the public and many other acts (I couldn’t type fast enough to list them all), supports their censure. #RRISD
I couldn’t hear the last speaker except he said something about God’s love. #RRISD
Next speaker: educator at RRISD. Relates her experience in school and at home. Kids aren’t wearing masks. Cafeteria, I was scared. She says she’s vaccinated but fearful. #RRISD
Several who signed up to speak didn’t come forward when called. Public comment closes. At 9:57pm, #RRISD President Weir adjourns to go into closed to consult with attorneys. Expectation: they’ll hear and vote on mask mandate/mask matrix after they return from closed session.
I’ll try to pick up the action here when closed session ends.
And they’re back at 11:34 pm. Superintendent is presenting his mask mandate matrix, which is in align with Travis and Williamson County Public Health departments. He asks for approval and support for the matrix. #RRISD
Cory Vessa asks where district stands legally if they vote in favor of the motion. The mask requirements ended on September 17, if approved, then this would put them back into place. Superintendent says we’re good to go at this point. #RRISD
Trustee Feller references legal landscape. Brings up TEA changes. Asks for information about the legal implications of TEA changes. Superintendent TEA won’t be able to enforce their guidelines. Litigation can only come from Texas AG.Staff atty Wells confirms.
TEA is currently under investigation by the US Department of Education, says Wells. Superintendent answers Harrison’s question re Travis and Wilco health departments and says they align to both. Superintendent reiterates need for mandates to keep students, staff, community safe.
Matrix is K-12. Amber is wondering if high school can be separated out. Super says intention is for K-12 but welcomes other thoughts. #RRISD First proposal was K-8 and something different from high school.
Superintendent says his recommendation is K-12, but is flexible. Crazy since there are so many outbreaks in high schools. Harrison opposes breaking out high school and wants K-12 because it puts younger siblings of high school students at risk. #RRISD
Soon to be Censured Trustee Bone: Wants to be clear! Wants to explore more legal shit. (Here we go again.) They’ve already explained this shit to her but she. MUST. Take. Up. More. Time. #RRISD
#RRISD Super asks attorneys to come forward. I can’t hear them. Bone feigns concern. Feds are investigating TEA! Bone wants to know if they can lose TEA funding. TEA has not indicated that they will enforce and if they win case, they’ll not withhold funds but maybe a fine.
Bone appears to be risk-averse! She’s filing lawsuits against her own school district and she’s worried about lawsuits and their impact on #RRISD! #hypocrite. Vessa wants to add mask mandate or court order or TEA order. She doesn’t want to have more meetings on this topic.
Soon to be Censured Trustee Danielle Weston sighs heavily and now concerned about enforcement of the mandate. People believe they have the right not to wear a mask. (That’s because she told them that.) The opt-out still stands, says Super. #RRISD
Trustee Xiao speaks next. He makes the motion re the matrix, with the addition by Vessa. Feller seconds. Harrison in honor of time wants to try limiting debate to two minutes. Bone has one more thing to say: we need to move away from divisiveness.
Bone wants to see the outdoor lunch thing and doesn’t want to vote for the mandate (SURPRISE!). She’s winging it now, yakking about litigation (as if she and Weston aren’t already involved in suing the district as another way to bully the district and their fellow board members.)
Feller speaks in favor of the mask mandate matrix and doesn’t want to tighten it in any way shape or form from the previous version. I think Xiao is now talking, but I can’t hear him clearly. Oh crap, video is being lost from the venue. Can’t hear and can’t see what’s going on.
And now it’s back. Now talking something else about PTA raising funds about something. Oh—outdoor tables. There is concern from Feller and Vessa about equity for schools that don’t have strong PTAs and schools that don’t have adequate outdoor space. #RRISD
Bone now talking about parents sneaking in to schools and now we might need them to volunteer and work. Super emphasizes that they’ve never said parents couldn’t come in. Principals make decisions about that in line with their Covid exposure. #RRISD
Harrison. Can we engage the Chamber and business partners to ask for help. Dr. Xiao and Super did a walk through of HVAC systems and Harrison asks for a summary from Xiao. Maintenance has some vacancies and they’re trying to hire replacements as fast as possible.
Xiao - tour went thru HVAC systems. Some systems can’t be updated without modifying entire structure. Following guidelines for air exchange rates. District is doing what is possible. Can we do something addition to the HVAC systems to improve air quality in addition to masks?
Xiao - not every HVAC system is doing what it needs to do. Can we deploy portable air filtration systems, he asks. Can we get business partners and parents, etc. to help defray costs. UV is NOT a good idea. He explains the science behind that, above my pay grade to summarize.
From budget standpoint, Vessa: we need better air filtration systems, we could recoup the cost by having better attendance even without Covid. Can’t vote on tonight but she’s essentially asking district to present a proposal. Xiao stresses that district needs to move quickly.
Harrison asking for procedure going forward: board update? Proposal? Super says next meeting could add to agenda. Xiao has one more thing: worried that we don’t have backup mitigation in place. Burden offloaded to parents and staff. We need to get those plan A & B ready.
Xiao wants everybody to think about all mitigation—screening tests, and others. We need the Covid tests, he says. We need a budget for that. $20/student per week. If not wearing masks, not quarantining. We can avoid an outbreak with tests.
Hold on, they just adjourned at 12:20 am. Did the vote on masks take place during the audio/video problems that took place 10 or 15 minutes ago? This is what the livestream looked like then. 
Well, we’ll to have to wait for tomorrow’s reports from @vessacory and @tiffanie4rrisd on FB & Twitter to learn if Xiao’s mask matrix motion was approved, modified, rejected, or tabled. 1 min they’re talking about it & next they adjourn. Sorry, folks. On-site A/V was wonky.
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