NLMUSD votes against faculty COVID-19 vaccine mandate

NORWALK — The Norwalk La Mirada Unified School District board of education voted against implementing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for district employees during their meeting on Oct. 4. 

The board also heard public comments, and faculty took the opportunity to express their opposition to the requirement with previous studies and precedent.  

Board members Narcis Brasov, Chris Staples, vice president Norma Amezcua and president Karen Morrison voted against the mandate resolution. 

"I believe that mandating without a testing option is an overreach on my authority as a board member," said Staples. "I do believe there will be a time for a mandate without a testing option. That time is not tonight, and we are not the governing body to impose such a mandate."

The board members echoed Staples, citing an overreach of authority and favoring a testing requirement instead. However, they clarified that they encourage the COVID-19 vaccine for everyone eligible. 

"I had COVID. Getting the vaccine is far less risky than having COVID," said Brasov. "We are all vaccinated and wearing masks because we could still spread the virus. The goal is student safety, and we are meeting that goal."

"As a parent of a daughter in the district, I would be more comfortable with a teacher I knew was tested and proven negative," Brasov continued. "I would encourage opening the testing option to those who are vaccinated."

Board members Jose Rios, Jorge A. Tirado and Dr. Robert Cancio, voted in favor of a mandate. 

Tirado raised questions regarding herd immunity in the district and religious exemption from the vaccine.

While the CDC has not stated what percentage of vaccinated people is needed to reach herd immunity, they emphasize that vaccination is the best way to achieve that goal. 

A religious exemption is taken on a case-by-case basis. However, local Christian, Catholic and Hindu leaders have refused to give exemption notes and state that their faith does not oppose the vaccine.  

Dr. Cancio joined Tirado and pressed superintendent John Lopez, asking if the mandate would help keep students safe.

"I do think a mandate for vaccines would provide additional safety measures for our students," said Lopez. "This is one component that would keep individuals safe in addition to masks and social distancing."

Still, a majority of the board voted to defeat the resolution. 

During public comments, district faculty spoke against the mandate and cited earlier studies and legislation.

La Mirada High School teacher Mark Kremer entered the meeting without a mask and was asked to wear it for his comment. He objected to the mandate, saying that the vaccine makes sense for at-risk individuals, not younger people who have stronger resistance.

"I object to the coercive, one-sided, one-size-fits-all mandate. An Israel medical study found that natural immunity from the virus is greater than the synthetic immunity from the vaccine," said Kremer.

The entire conclusion of the Israel study says previously infected individuals who received the vaccine gained additional protection from COVID-19. 

La Mirada High School teacher Tom Taylor also voiced his disapproval of the mandate.

"This plan-demic is not about a virus. It never was," said Taylor. "A person has a right to ask questions about what is being put in their body. If the employer is unable to answer these questions, then a person has the right to refuse the inoculation under the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title VII."

Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act states that employers must provide accommodations for those with sincerely held religious beliefs. 

Taylor went on to compare board members who voted to mandate the vaccine to the Nazis in World War II, when they experimented with drugs on people because they were "following orders" and were "members of the party."

"I say to you if you are making a decision based on 'following orders' or 'I was a member of the party,' or you are making a decision based on critical thinking skills and actual science, may love guide your decision," said the high school teacher. 

NLMUSD continues to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations for anyone eligible and holds vaccine clinics at high schools in the district. 

The next clinic is at Norwalk High School on Oct. 9, with walk-in appointments available.