Parent, Staff Survey Shows Majority Oppose Indoor Mask Policy At Broken Arrow Public Schools

Broken Arrow Public schools announced on Friday morning that the majority of parents and staff oppose an indoor mask policy within the district.

According to the district, an electronic survey seeking input on an indoor mask policy was sent out to staff and parents of BAPS students on Friday, September 24.

The district said that the survey asked parents and staff “Are you in favor or not in favor of an indoor mask policy requiring all students and staff to wear masks indoors, with the ability to ‘opt-out’ based on medical, religious or strong personal beliefs?”

The district says that the results of the survey showed that out of 5,066 parents and guardians surveyed, 60.92% voted not in favor of a mask policy, while 39.08% voted in favor of the policy.

The staff survey showed that out of 1,267 staff members surveyed, 61.56% voted NOT in favor of a mask policy, while 38.44 voted in favor of the policy.

According to the district's website, staff votes were validated using employee ID numbers and site/school information. Parent's votes were validated by using student ID numbers, school site and grade level.

The Broken Arrow Public Schools Board of Education will examine the survey results and discuss them at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting that is set to take place at 6 p.m. on Monday, October. 11, at the Education Service Center.