Indiana County’s school districts will follow the indoor mask mandate starting on Tuesday, some reluctantly, but school district solicitors across the commonwealth are signaling that confusing language with Governor Wolf’s order make it difficult to enforce.
That includes wording that an individual need only “state that they have a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability…” to avoid wearing a mask, and school districts should not “restrain, use force, or physically remove teachers, children/students, staff, or visitors who refuse to comply…”
The Marion Center school board will convene a special meeting tonight at five o’clock in the school auditorium. Superintendent Clint Weimer published a lengthy letter on the district’s website yesterday, saying the order “is legally binding and the district will be following the mandate…” but he also understands that there will be anger and frustration by many in the community. He’s hoping they can “work together to get through this continued challenge with the least effect on students as possible.”
Those students who arrive for school without a mask and who refuse to accept one will be directed to a designated are and their parents will be called to pick them up.
Marion Center has remote learning options for students in kindergarten through grade five, and for those students in grades six and up, there is the option of the district’s cyber academy. The district has asked parents who wish to enroll their child in the academy to do so by noon today, but the academy does enroll students year-round.
Penns Manor, Homer-Center, and River Valley have also published notifications on masking. Each affirms their determination to continue in-person instruction while following the mandate.
