The Salisbury Township School District board members met Nov. 17 with President George Gatanis announcing an executive session was held to discuss confidential student matters and personnel issues.

Students Madison Bryant and Carver Moyer updated the board on events at Salisbury High School. Ella Roset and Hanin Suleiman provided updates on Salisbury Middle School and Lara Al-Bajjali and Alexa Laudenslager provided Salisbury Elementary School updates.

A canned food drive continues through the end of November at the middle school. A Race for Adam event will be held Dec. 10 at SMS where pretzels and shirts will be sold.

Director of Student Activities Monica Deeb recognized twirling coaches Julie Sentz and Christina Young for their years of service. Sentz is a 1996 graduate of Salisbury and has coached for 22 years. Young is a 1995 graduate of Salisbury and is currently in her 25th year of coaching.

They were thanked for their service and dedication.

“They are wonderful,” board member Carol Klinger said. “Thank you for all you’ve done for the kids.”

Board member Mary Ziegler agreed. “They have done an amazing job. To see the program grow, it is very much appreciated.”

“They taught more than twirling,” Gatanis said. “They taught the students about adversity and life in general. They have been instrumental in the successful program.”

Outgoing board members David Hadinger, Audrey Frick, Gatanis and Ziegler were recognized for their years of volunteer service to the district.

Also recognized on the occasion of her retirement was Elizabeth Wold, an ESL teacher at SES. She has worked for the district for over 19 years. She was unable to attend the meeting.

Six residents signed in to speak during citizens comments regarding items on the agenda: Megan Stephens, Thomas Spinner, Emily Pojanowski, Bryan Pojanowski, Former Chief Financial Officer Michael Taylor and Jodie Finney.

Emily Pojanowski wanted to know the district’s plan for masking and asked the board to consider a trial period for optional masking.

Bryan Pojanowski thanked the outgoing board members. “I know you care about the kids and the community.”

Taylor said he “couldn’t miss the last meeting” for the outgoing board members and said “the dedication of the entire board has just been incredible. I want you to know I appreciated it.”

Finney asked for the mask mandate to be reversed. She said there is no reason for any board to vote for masks as it is the parents’ choice.

District Superintendent Lynn Fuini-Hetten said there are currently two active cases of COVID-19 with a total of 44 active student/staff cases to date. She said there is no change in guidelines from St. Luke’s.

School Solicitor Attorney Kristine Roddick said the mask mandate will be lifted Dec. 4 unless there is a further mandate from the state. Gov. Tom Wolf had said he would lift the mask mandate Jan. 17, 2022.

After the mask mandate is lifted, Roddick said it is then at the board’s discretion.

There was a discussion about student athletes wearing masks on the sidelines, during practice and during games.

It was said the Colonial League athletes are wearing masks on the sidelines and during practices. Many school district athletes are not wearing masks during games.

A lengthy discussion followed on masking for athletes and school students. Another discussion was held regarding Salisbury Youth Association athletes using district facilities and the winter slam tournament being held in Salisbury Dec. 26 and masking requirements associated with these athletes and events.

Regarding masking in schools for students, the board decided to wait until the Dec. 6 meeting to see where the state requirements sit and also for the new board members to take their seats.

Regarding mask removal for student athletes during competitions, the board approved the motion 7-2, with directors Becky Glenister and Hadinger opposed.

Roddick also noted there will be two vacancies as of Dec. 16 on the school board following the recent election. The district will open applications for residents over 18 to apply for two, two-year terms. Residents were to send a letter of interest to Fuini-Hetten by Nov. 30 with interviews to be held in December. The board has 30 days to fill the vacancies.

In the superintendent’s report, Lynn Fuini-Hetten recognized the John Yurconic Agency for their donation to the Salisbury Education Foundation.

Fuini-Hetten is still looking for residents to participate in the comprehensive plan for the district. The next meeting is Dec. 2. Email kpauling@salisburysd.org if interested in participating.

Fuini-Hetten said the applications are closed for the chief financial officer position. They are currently conducting Zoom interviews. She anticipates approving a contract at the January 2022 meeting.

Regarding a facilities planning update, Fuini-Hetten said there was a meeting with Public Financial Management and more information will be provided to the board members at the January 2022 meeting.

During citizen comments, an additional resident, Christina Achey, talked about the situation involving masking in her son’s classroom. She said she had hoped the board would have made the decision at this meeting regarding masking rather than waiting for the new board members.

There will be four meetings Dec. 6: a reorganization meeting beginning 7 p.m., an operations committee meeting, a curriculum and technology committee meeting and a regular board meeting.