Mars parents ask for clarification, criticize mandate
Parents asked questions about policies and some criticized the statewide mask mandate at a Mars Area School Board work session meeting Tuesday night.
For all school districts across Pennsylvania, Tuesday was the first day that students, staff, visitors and faculty were required to wear face masks as mandated by Gov. Tom Wolf.
Robin Organ, of Adams Township, said that masks are medical devices that should require informed consent to be put on a child.
“We should be embracing students, instead of sending them to a holding room because they choose to breathe,” she said. “I choose not to co-parent with any government officials.”
Gabe Davis of Adams Township said that he was “up for spending money to fight this tyranny,” referring to the mandate. “I'm sure there's a lot of people in this district who would (write a check) to make an example of that guy in Harrisburg (Wolf), because we're sick and tired of him,” he said. “So let's do something about it. Let's stand up to this guy.”
Superintendent Mark Gross said that the district had been a mask-optional school “for a reason,” but that they now had to follow the state mandate.“We didn't want have to make the decision that a lot of folks didn't want made at the time, but we have a mandate now,” he said. “It's very explicit that the liabilities are great on anyone. (The state) is comparing not following the mandate with willful neglect of duty, and talked about us taking an oath of office and upholding the rules and regulations of the commonwealth. I won't get into my personal opinions, but I think it's fair to say that it's not an easy situation to be in.”Mars Area Education Association representative Sharyn Lipnicky assured parents that teachers have their kids at the forefront of their minds at the moment. “We are thinking about their well-being, but we also have to go with what is directed to us from the administration and what they have to do from the governor down,” she said. “Your kids are in all of our thoughts. Sometimes I think that gets lost.”
Some parents asked about rules regarding quarantines and LSI (live stream interactive, the remote program.)Mars parent Taressa Rhoads said she wished the district's policies for LSI were different. Currently, LSI is available for students who are actively quarantining. “You're kind of encouraging students to come to school while waiting for test results,” Rhoads said. “That's putting everyone in a bad situation. I would like the district to focus on some better remote options in the future.”Jen Gianfranchesco of Mars said she hopes that future debates over the mask mandate do not take place at the bus stop or in school.“Our children need to be focused on learning,” she said. “Butler COVID cases have increased recently, as I'm sure many of you are aware. We want our children to remain in schools, and the only chance we have of doing that is by slowing the spread of COVID. The use of masks will assist this, especially in the case of children under 12 who cannot be vaccinated.”
Assistant superintendent Elizabeth McMahon announced that based on surveys and meetings, the district would be spending some of its state Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding to create after-school reading and math programs intended to fill learning losses that occurred last year.
