Protesters decry vaccine mandate
CHICO » A group of about 100 mask and antivaccine protesters stood outside the doors to the multi-purpose room at Marigold Elementary School where the Chico Unified School District board meeting was taking place Wednesday night.
The group, made up of both children and adults, waved American flags and homemade signs reading statements such as “My children are not your science experiment” and “Kids are not Government lab rats, no mandates” and shouted “Vaccines are no-nos” and “My body, my choice” through megaphones.
Betsy Bowen said she was protesting because she doesn’t believe in mandates for children. She has children and grandchildren that work and attend school in the Chico Unified School District.
“I’ve done a lot of research and heard both sides,” Bowen said. “It’s not making sense to me. Kids need to build up immunity.”
Before heading inside to attend the meeting, Chico Unified School District board member Matt Tennis grabbed a megaphone and addressed the crowd.
“I want you to know I’m on your side,” Tennis said to the crowd. “You should have the right to get the vaccine or not. I will say, though, that if you are over 40 you should get the vaccine. This is very important.”
Some of the protesters replied that Tennis “isn’t a doctor” and he agreed. One man shouted “I make my own choice!” at him.
The protesters remained outside for a good portion of the meeting.
Some teachers were honored at the meeting and a group of teachers visiting Chico from other countries spoke before the board and meeting attendees and expressed enthusiasm and gratitude for getting to experience school in America.
Jamie King-Iseman, president of King Consulting, and Rob Murray, Director at King Consulting, the company that partners with Chico Unified School District, gave a presentation to the board regarding the draft trustee area maps.
According to the meeting agenda, CUSD’s Hispanic/Latino population is not particularly concentrated based on 2020 Census data, with one area identified to keep within a single trustee area. The total CUSD population was recorded in the 2020 Census at 120,119 people. Each trustee area must therefore contain between 22,823 and 25,225 people.
The Hispanic population was noted by a couple members of the board since the district is growing ethnically.
From the 2010 Census to the 2020 Census, Chico’s total population increased from 107,182 to 120,119. The district is more racially and ethnically diverse. The Hispanic/Latino community remains the most significant protected class; this population increased from 14.7 percent of the district population to 19.3 percent. This increased Hispanic/ Latino population is more evenly dispersed around the district than what the 2010 Census data showed, according to the meeting agenda.
The summary of initial draft maps was divided into three colors: blue, green and purple. The blue map creates two trustee areas in the Pleasant Valley High School boundary and three trustee areas in the Chico High School boundary. The green map option reads that every trustee area represents both high schools. The purple map option has an emphasis on elementary school boundaries.
Board member Eileen Robinson said that with the possible maps there is a significant socio-economic difference.
Murray said that it is important to hear from the community. The first hearing on draft maps will be held Nov. 3. The second hearing on draft maps after incorporating feedback from the first hearing will be held Nov. 17. By Nov. 24, final map options based on all board and public feedback will be posted on the district website. The board will adopt the map Dec. 15.
Regular school board meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month. Public comments can be submitted by email at PublicComment@chicousd.org.