Some local superintendents are offering up their reaction to the news that the K-12 mask mandate is expected to come to an end in mid-January.
The announcement came down on Monday from PA Governor Tom Wolf that the mandates are planned to expire for schools on January 17th, and the decision on whether to wear masks or not will go back to the district. Homer-Center School District Superintendent Curtis Whitesel said that local control was what a lot of districts were looking for, and it would be welcomed in his district.
Indiana Superintendent Michael Vuckovich said that they want to look at their current health and safety plan before January 17th before making a decision of whether to have students mask or not.
The mandate was originally put in place in September as schools were starting for the year and when the Delta Variant of Covid-19 was picking up steam. Wolf said that things have changed since then now that over 70% of Pennsylvania’s adult population has been vaccinated, and that vaccines are now available for children ages five to eleven.
