Covid US: Chicago Catholic school principal placed on leave after making masks optional

Dozens of parents braved the Chicago cold to protest after the principal of a suburban Chicago Catholic school was placed on leave for announcing that masks would be optional for children and teachers.

Doc Mathius announced he was dropping the mask mandate at Queen of Martyrs Catholic School in Evergreen Park, Chicago last week – in defiance of the Archdiocese of Chicago who have mandated masks across its schools.

The Archdiocese responded quickly by placing the popular principal on disciplinary leave. 

‘I expected to be terminated,’ he said. ‘I expected extreme pushback, so I was not surprised.’

The decision has outraged local parents who are demanding Mathius be reinstated. 

The decision has outraged local parents who are demanding Mathius be reinstated

Dozens of parents braved the slush and snow on Sunday to protest outside the school, waving banners that said ‘We Love Doc’ and American flags as they rallied in support

Parents described him as ‘a man of integrity, of leadership’ and slammed the Archdiocese for their decision

Even little ones helped wave their signs and banners as the community demanded the return of their teacher 

Dozens of parents braved the slush and snow on Sunday to protest outside the school, waving banners that said ‘We Love Doc’ and American flags as they rallied in support.

Parents described him as ‘a man of integrity, of leadership’ and slammed the Archdiocese for their decision. 

‘It’s ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous,’ parent John Murzyn told WGN. 

‘Doc Mathius would take a bullet for anyone. He has the kids’ best interests at heart in mind. I’m not so sure the archbishop does.

‘I’m hoping the Archdiocese reconsiders this move because in my opinion, it wasn’t a good one by them.’

One parent, Andrew Tourville, told NBC Chicago that it meant ‘so much to us’ that Mathius had ‘stood up for our children.’

Mathius made the announcement for students and teachers at Queen of Martyrs Catholic School in Evergreen Park, Chicago last week – in defiance of the Archdiocese of Chicago who have mandated masks across its schools

Mathius said that his heart was breaking to be separated from the school and his students but that he felt ‘ it was worth doing

‘When he took that stand, and he was immediately put on disciplinary leave for doing so,’ he added . ‘A lot of these children are showing signs of depression, and they’re not able to fully communicate with their teachers and…with each other,’ the parent continued.

Mathius said that his heart was breaking to be separated from the school and his students but that he felt ‘it was worth doing.’ 

‘I had nothing to gain by this, only to lose,’ Mathius said. ‘Principals come and go. That parish and school has stood there a long time and I want nothing but the best for it.’

The Archdiocese declined to comment when reached by both NBC and WGN.

Chicago schools have been allowed to choose whether or not to keep their mandates after a judge filed a restraining order earlier this month against Illinois’ Governor J.B. Pritzker’s executive order mandating masks in schools until March 6. The state of Illinois is appealing.