A Pediatrician Joined the School Board During Covid-19. Her Face Mask Recommendations Could Cost Her the Job.
North Dakota | September 19, 2021
When pediatrician Tracie Newman ran for school board here last year, so many residents were eager for her expert help guiding students through the pandemic that there was a waiting list for her campaign lawn signs.
Now, some of those same parents are backing a recall campaign to get her off the board. They say her recommendation that children wear masks this fall oversteps their right as parents to determine what is best for kids’ health and education. They have gathered thousands of signatures to remove her from the board, organized protests and questioned Dr. Newman’s integrity at school-board meetings.
“People are questioning my motives and my ability as a pediatrician,” said Dr. Newman, a mother of three who wears many hats in the community, including serving as the county’s public-health officer. “That’s never happened to me in my professional life.”
The effort to oust Dr. Newman is one of more than 60 recall efforts of board members this year in school districts across the country, according to election-data website Ballotpedia. That is the most in the 15 years Ballotpedia has kept track. Some 60% mention Covid-19 restrictions as a motivation to unseat board members…. (Excerpts from the Wall Street Journal)