“…as if the mask less are harmful…”

Yesterday afternoon we received a response from the office of Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt (r) complying with our December 9th RSMo § 610 “Missouri Sunshine Law” request for the contents of the illegalmandates@ago.mo.gov email address set up by the Attorney General to solicit complaints about mask wearing in Missouri public schools.

Continuing:

[….]
Subject: Jon Beetem’s unlawful mandate continues

Cole County Presiding Judge Jon Beetem is still enforcing a mask requirement for the Cole County Courthouse.

Will Attorney General Schmitt order Judge Beetem to remove his unlawful mask mandate from thecourts and the courthouse now that the Cole County decision declared these types of actions unlawful?

Evidence: Top of the website states it clearly. [….]

Here’s the order [….]

This unlawful mandate has denied justice to many who chose not to comply and would rather plead guilty than be forced to wear a useless piece of cloth on heir face.

Thank you
[….]

[….]
Please help oacac head start. They are still mandate the covid shot on all employees and now mask mandate on everyone 2 years and up.

[….]
Subject: Fox C-6 District

Good morning.

I am emailing to file a complaint regarding Fox High School in the Fox C-6 School District. They are still making my daughter wear a mask at school. Please, please send a Cease and Desist order to them ASAP!! I appreciate your time.

Thank you,
[….]

[….]
Subject: Mehlville schools/Oakville middle

Yesterday my 7th grader went to school at Oakville middle without a mask. The principal came into the classroom to warn and yell that they all better have the mask up and over the nose. Out of fear she had to put it on. She continued to be brave by taking it off throughout the day and was yelled at by many teachers and staff. We need help in this fight.

[…]

They certainly need help.

[….]
Subject: Mask mandates

Stop wasting everyone’s time. You are supposed to be working FOR the people, not against them. Mask orders protect kids in schools. And communities. The study that Governor Parson ordered proves that. Work on behalf of the people of Missouri, if you have the guts.

He doesn’t have the guts.

[….]
Subject: Rockwood School District: Important Message from [….]

Mr. Schmitt,

My name is [….] and I work at Pond Elementary in Wildwood, MO. I have two children that attend this school as well, and we are so sick of wearing masks. All day I hear teachers/staff demanding these children pull their masks up. As soon as they’re done eating, no talking to friends, and pull your mask up. It’s borderline mail for these sweet children. Kids are scared, other kids are telling on others, as if the mask less are harmful. Please help us! I keep telling my children to pull their masks down, to stand up for their freedom and their rights. They’re healthy children. Please please help.

Below is an email from [….] our superintendent. I cried when I read it, I’m just so frustrated.

That is just sad.

[….]
Subject: Masks for private school
[….]

Hi!! Looking for some transparency in the mask mandate….since my children are at a private school, do they not have to comply with the “no” or “illegal” mask mandates? I attached the recent letter that addresses the decision last week.

Any help would be much appreciated or any support so my kids can stop wearing them and start breathing normal for 7 hours a day in school would be life changing. Thank you for all you do and your continue efforts to help!
[….]

[….]
Subject: Springfield public schools

Yesterday I received a letter from Springfield public schools stating that the masking mandate will remain in effect. They referred to the letter sent by your office as ‘an opinion’ and stated that they have 30 days to comply/review the opinion. I’m extremely tired of having to make my children wear a mask. I appreciate your efforts in stopping the ridiculous mask mandate.
[….]

[….]
Subject: Masks

Stop wasting everyone’s time with this.

And state resources.

[….]
Subject: Potentially Illegal Act Regarding Mask Madates

To whom it may concern,

I’m not sure if this applies for the purposes of this email account, but I came across a news story that you may find interesting for its potential illegality:

[….]

Very weird that a state so tirelessly opposed to mask mandates would purposefully hide data that shows how effective they are.

Let’s talk about it. Because I’ll keep emailing you this link until we do.

– Masky McMaskface

That may be sarcastic trolling. These days it’s difficult to be certain.

[….]
Subject: Columbia Public Schools

To all, they are handing out mask and making my two children wear them illegaly at John Warner Middle School.
[….]

[….]
Subject: Mehlville School District – St. Louis County

Hello AG,

I would like to formally report the Mehlville Shool Districts ongoing egregious violation of our children’s constitutional rights.

They operate with the cloak of indignation and entitlement ignoring the most recent court order and letter from your office.

They have scheduled a board meeting for tonight, I pray intervention from your office today would put our superintendent on the correct path.

Thank you in advance for your patriotic work – Blessings to you.

Sincerely,
[….]

The cloak of indignation?

[….]
Subject: Mask Requirements Remaining on School Buses

Greetings,

I am a school bus driver for the North Kansas City School District #74. I’m glad to hear that, in only a day’s time, our superintendent repealed his insistence on masks in school buildings in response to the Cole County Court decision.
They have not changed their mind about the buses and are continuing to insist masks be worn only there. It is my understanding that school buses fall under the federal mandate of public transportation. Convenient. They claim to be helpless to change the policies on buses. However, when it is also convenient, they insist the school bus is an extension of the classroom. I see this as the least logical combination of rules, to roam maskless and free for eight hours in the halls then slap a mask on for a 10-20 minute bus ride. Also, the buses are only as public as the school buildings. State laws (RSMo 569.115, below) actually limit buses to exclusively students and school staff. Is there any grounds to apply the recent ruling on a school bus? I am hardly qualified to say yes, so help and clarification would be appreciated.

Thank you,
[….]

That’s literally throwing the bus under the bus. Convenient.

[….]
Subject: MSHSAA

MSHSAA is still requiring healthy kids to be quarantined and not allowed to play without proff of vaccination.

[….]
Subject: Brentwood schools imposing masks and quarantine

To whom it may concern,

Brentwood schools are mandating masks and utilizing quarantines. I would like it to stop. Here is the link to their website.

[….]

Thank you,
[….]

[….]
Subject: Kearney School District

I know that you have received numerous complaints about Kearney School District defying your order.

We are aware that Liberty has received your second letter, have you sent it to Kearney and North Kansas City?

Students started not wearing their masks after your first letter and Kearney school employees have threatened to disqualify them from playing sports, have issued in school suspension and threats of out of school.

Kearney will food parents’ emails with reports of rising COVID and even close schools to pit the maskers/vaxxers against those with commonsense.

Thank you for fighting for us!
[….]

The Oxford comma is your friend.

[….]
Subject: St Francis Borgia Grade School

Do private schools fall under this order?

[….]
To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions.” Benjamin Franklin

Just amazing.

[….]

Hazelwood school district is forcing kids to wear mask. I feel it should b a choice, my son has autism spectrum disorder and sever anxiety, wearing a mask for him is no fun. Hopes this helps my son goes to hazelwood northwest Jr high. In hazelwood school district

[….]
Subject: Columbia Public Schools still violating the recent Cole County Circuit Court , my grandson’s story. (video links)
[….]

My 16 year old grandson contacted me from school at 13:20 on December 7th with an ‘urgent’ need. He was being removed from his welding class at Columbia’s Hickman High because he refused to wear a paper mask with sparks flyinh in the room from welding and grinders used on metal. My grandson says thewelding class instructor has not made students wear a mask in this environment. However, after the class started on Dec. 7th [….] walked into the classroom and upon seeing ‘all’ students without a mask demanded masks be worn. My grandson refused to put a mask on due to paper masks not being safe. After some discussion he was offered a ‘fire resistant’ mask but he refused as it was too small (he is over 6 feet tall and around 200 lbs.) Besides not being required by the instructor to wear a face mask in class this season, my grandson also reported on Dec. 7th there were a total of 5 students present in the class but only 3 fire resistant masks were available. It is evident wearing a fire resistant face mask has not been expected nor available for all students. After first resisting to put on a face mask, the other 4 students finally complied (I guess one wore a paper mask in a room with sparks) but refusing to comply, my grandson was removed and made to sit in an office for the remainder of the class.

Last week my grandson, having heard about the judges ruling in the Robinson vs MO DHSS case, personally asked [….] how it impacted the schools mask mandate. [….] told my grandson that the school board had received an email from their ‘lawyer’ explaining that the Robinson vs DHSS did not affect their policy of masks being required at school. [….] actually read the email to my grandson.

Finding it egregious that a Columbia Public Schools leader should flaunt the law in the face of a high school and continue, under the mask mandate, to deprive my grandson from taking part in classes, on December 8th I personally went to the Hickman High School to discuss the issue. I took with me a copy of Attorney General (AG) Schmitt’s December 7, 2021 letter to the MO public schools and a copy of the Dec. 7 press release from the AG’s office regarding the letter. I briefly spoke with [….] and asked why CPS was not complying with the judge’s order and follow-up order fromAG to immediately cease CPS’ mask mandate. At first [….] simply referred to the CPS Administration office stating he was following policy. When I politely challenged that the AG’s order was sent to the schools on Dec. 7 [….] denied that the school had received the order on Dec. 7, yet when I showed him the Dec. 7 press release he stated he had seen it ‘on line’. I politely reminded [….] that as an adult leader to students he was personally responsible for obeying the law.

I recorded the above meeting on my personal cell phone (careful not to record any students, only my face is visible, but [….] voice is clearly recorded). You may view/download the video here
[….]

After leaving Hickman High I promptly traveled to and presented the AG’s Dec. 7th letter and a copy of the press release to the friendly receptionist at the Columbia Public Schools Administrative building. I was informed that there were no actual offices at this facility but the receptionist could send copies of the documents I submitted to each of the School Board members if I wished. I affirmed my desire that each member receive a copy. I recorded this brief interaction and it can be viewed/downloaded here [….]

Photos of the documents I delivered to both [….] at Hickman and to the receptionist at the CPS Administration building are attached. Not the highlights and my contact information written on the first page.

It is quite apparent the Columbia Public Schools administrators do not believe they are bound by court rulings nor the follow-up order from our Attorney General. I am asking that this be investigated immediately and our children’s rights protected. I greatly appreciate your service to the people of Missouri
[….]

The next great American novel gets its start.

A polite reminder – press releases generally do not have the force of law.

“…careful not to record any students…” Is that throwing shade at Eric Schmitt? Just asking.

“…I am asking that this be investigated immediately…” Waiting…

[….]
Subject: Ascension Catholic School

Good morning! I am not sure if you can send cease and desist letters to St. Louis Cathlic schools that are part of the archdiocese?
Ascension has not stopped enforcing the masks (a specific fourth grade teacher gives disciple for not wearing masks ‘correctly’) and they have health kids currently in quarantine.
We haven’t received stating changes – any guidance you could provide would be great. I would also be happy to pass along any documention to our priest and principal.
[….]

Oh, my.

[….]
Subject: Masking in Public Schools

Mr. Schmitt,

Why on earth would you, the Attorney General of Missouri ask for pictures of children? Taken WITHOUT parental consent?

I understand you want to overturn the mask mandate. Fine. However, asking strangers to take pictures of children wearing masks is dangerous and reckless.

My children CHOOSE to wear a mask; WITH or WITHOUT a mandate. I wear a mask because I have multiple auto immune diseases and CHOOSE to wear a mask as well. I’m not a radical ‘wear a mask or you’ll harm others’ person. However, I am a parent and I do believe in our God given rights, Consitutional Rights and Human Rights. This request violates all of those.

Your request isn’t a sound request, considering ‘data’ will be flawed. Therefor, irrelevant. You ‘may’ get photos of faculty and/or students that CHOOSE to wear a mask.
You 100% can not, you are encouraging strangers to approach children while at school, in the school yard etc. to have them ask the child. If that is the case you are putting children’s safety at risk and violating their expectation of privacy while attending school. What is worse, you just gave pedophiles and the like just cause to sit on our children’s playgrounds and photograph them!

Surely you can do better than endangering our children, and to what end?
Will fines be issued?
Will our human rights be taken away?

What is YOUR agenda in publishing this witch hunt over masking vs non masking in schools?

Simply put, your request needs to be retracted and an apology issued.

[….]

[….]
Subject: Lee’s Summit mandate statement

Dear AG Schmitt,
You may have already seen the text below that was emailed to parents in the Lee’s Summit R7 school district, basically disregarding the directive sent from your office.

On a personal level I wanted to let you know that my duaghter is feeling a great deal of pressure to get the vaccination because she thinks that would be better than the shaming that happens toward students who are quarantined.

Our daughter tested positive for Covid over the Summer break, but of course no regard is given those who now have natural immunity (which is a separate issue that need to be addressed).

I’,m asking for your office to look into the continued mask mandate at LSR7 and let me know if they are out of compliance with your directive.
[….]

Science is hard.

[….]
Subject: non compliance

Springfield public schools are not complying with the court order. I have contacted the deputy superintendent and was told they are not going to comply. I have the email if you’d like it

[….]
Subject: Slater School District
[….]

My name is [….] and I called your office yesterday about my boys’ school not adhering and not removing their mask mandate. I have some photos of the statement that [….] put out yesterday morning as well as a conversation with my son from school when he texted me to inform me that he was being force to wear a mask again. A member of the superintendents office, who refused to identify himself, has also told several parents that there is a clause that allows the school to wait until after the board meets to decide but they may not get to meet until after school comes back from the holiday break. They currently have a board meeting scheduled for the 16th of December.

[….]
Subject: Russell blvd elementary in Columbia

Yesterday when I sent my 4th grader and kindergarten to school and they told the teachers that they would not be wearing a mask to school on Thursday. Their teachers told them that they had heard wrong and that they would be sent home if they didn’t come to school in a mask.
I will be taking them to school today with NO MASK. Both of my boys have Asthma and one has Trachomalacia which makes it more harmful for them to be masked since they are more susceptible to infections in their lungs. The masked need to go. They need to breath fresh air again instead of air thats trapped in their masks that they have sneezed in, coughed in, dropped on the ground, and so on.
Thank you for fighting for our kids! We appreciate everything that you do for our state!

[….]

Another win for the Oxford comma.

[….]
Subject: Stop this political pisturing!

How dare you put the lives of our children at risk to score political points! Covid is real and masks save lives. My grandson attends Columbia Public Schools and we strongly support the mask mandate. He has twice been in classrooms with students who later tested positive for covid. But for his mask he would likely have gotten is as well.

Be a leader. Fight actual crimes and stop attacking the real leaders who are trying to keep us safe.

[….]

[….]
Subject: Masks

Masks save lives!!!! Leave the schools alone…follow the science….stop using your office to promote your Senate run. Do your job.

A voice in the wilderness.

[….]
Subject: Mask Mandate for Lafayette High

Lafayette HS in St. Louis County sent out an email stating that they would still enforce the mask mandate.

I on’t agree with it and feet the teachers have overstepped their perceived power of I fluency and authority over our children.

I am not pleased with their flippant attitudes toward Christianity, Patriotism, or Traditional Family Values.

[….]

Don’t you just despise autocorrect?

[….]
Subject: Mask Mandates

Sir,
Have you no shame? Have you NO regard for the good people of Missouri? You would let them die for politics? Disgusting. Where are the results of the study that showed masks work? WHERE is it? How dare you act like YOU know more than doctors or YOUR OWN STUDY? STOP interfering in trying to keep Missourians safe and healthy. WHERE are the study results? WHERE? SHAME on YOU.
STOP what you are doing.

[….]

[….]
Subject: Kiddie Academy – Chesterfield, MO
[….]

Hello,
I am contacting you because our child is being forced to quarantine from his school due to a teacher contracting covid. The teachers are required to wear masks all day while with the students. We are being told to quarantine for the 2nd time in ~45 days and that we still have to pay for our ‘tuition’ during these times. As you can imagine this is a very difficult situation for both sides but I feel it is completely unnecessary to be putiing a financial burden on families when services are not being rendered. On top of the financial aspect, it is very difficult for parents to plan within the timeframe we are notified. It is also extremely challenging to watch our 4-year-old child while trying to maintain our careers.

I have attached the communication from the Kiddie Acadaemy located in Chesterfield.

I am asking for your assistance in this matter.

Thanks
Anonymous

Uh, that’s private daycare.

Pro tip: Your ‘anonymous’ signature isn’t really anonymous when the email header contains your email address as part of a public record.

There are over 8000 pages. This disheartening display of arrogance, self righteousness, willful ignorance, stupidity, entitlement, narcissism, insanity, and sarcasm is breathtaking in its volume.

Public schools have to be open to and accept all students. That’s not necessarily the case with private and parochial schools. Generally parents have to pay tuition (and in some cases provide their student’s uniforms) for those private and parochial schools.

In the past polling in Missouri would indicate a pride in and fierce loyalty to local public schools. If these emails are any indication, that support has eroded. If right wingnut politicians can turn people against their local public schools they can easily turn them against anything and anyone. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt (r) has easily demonstrated this possibility with his political stunt in support of his U.S. Senate primary campaign.

We’re not going to thank him for enabling and helping to confirm the obvious.

This is inevitable when our culture considers public education as if it’s nothing more than cheap and convenient childcare.

Previously:

A simple request (December 9, 2021)

We get a response (December 14, 2021)

We’re still waiting… (December 31, 2021)

There’s much more to follow (January 6, 2022)

illegalmandates@ago.mo.gov – RSMo § 610 – Missouri Sunshine Law – email submissions – part 1 (January 6, 2022)