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Following on the heels of a court decision made Wednesday that reverses a requirement for masks inside schools and child care facilities, the Loyalsock Township School Board voted to revise its health and safety plan to make masking optional.
The vote was 7-1 with board members Charles Edmonds, Hal Gee, Christina Kiessling, Robert Leidhecker, Marissa Moore, Carolyn Strickland and Michael Zicolello voting yes.
Melvin Wentzel voted no.
Valerie Komarnicki was absent.
A few people who attended the board meeting urged the district to follow the court's ruling and chided school officials for not immediately communicating the news to students.
"You need to instruct teachers that masks are optional," Shawn Gehr said.
Jeff Breon asked the board to reconsider making masks optional.
He said he does not wear a mask to protect himself from COVID-19, but to protect others from the virus.
"We sacrifice liberties for rights," he said. "Please stay the course."
Superintendent Gerald McLaughlin noted that the masking issue continues to raise controversy in the community.
"We will continue to monitor student safety here as well as in the community," he told the Sun-Gazette. "We will make appropriate changes as needed."
The court's decision remains on hold following an appeal to the state Supreme Court by state Health Department lawyers.
In other matters, the board approved the comprehensive plan for the next three years outlining goals for the district.
Suzanne Foresman, director of curriculum, presented aspects of the plan which include targeting absenteeism, addressing student learning gaps and making data more accessible to everyone.
"We have three years to implement this plan," she said.
McLaughlin said some aspects of the plan are already being addressed.
In personnel action, the board accepted the resignations of Aine Wright, elementary teacher, and Todd Farr, custodian.
School directors also accepted the retirement of Gail Hills, secretary.
The board approved Steven Bowman as a part-time custodian at $13 per hour and the transfer of Daisy Clouser from custodial employee to full-time secretary.
Clouser is to earn $14.75 per hour and serve as a custodian on a part-time basis as needed.
The board approved the exoneration of real estate taxes from the Williamsport Home for $59,972. The exoneration is in accordance with an agreement in which the Williamsport Home makes a payment of $57,410 in lieu of taxes.
A donation of instruments with an estimated value of $11,325 from the Loyalsock Lancers Marching Band Booster organization was approved by the board.