By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

The Parkland School Board, at its Feb. 15 meeting, approved a revision to the district’s Health and Safety Plan which indicates masks are still recommended, but not required, for pupils in kindergarten through grade 12 and all staff.

The change to optional face coverings also applies to students participating in the visual and performing arts and athletics.

Masks continue to be required at the nursing suites and training rooms.

Mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Health and Safety plan for the 2021-22 school year was designed to make full day, in person K-12 instruction a priority while maintaining the health and safety of students and staff.

A committee led by superintendent Dr. Mark Madson with 29 administrators worked on the plan which was first approved by the board and submitted to the DOE in July 2021.

For a January revision to the Health and Safety plan, the district prepared a decision making guide in partnership with St. Luke’s University Health Network and in consultation with Lehigh Valley Health Network.

Applying evidence from both health networks, the district could see when a change was needed to the masking policy.

Metrics that were used in the determination to switch from required to recommended face coverings included the number of cases in Lehigh County in a seven day period; the test positivity rate; monitoring of building and community data; no evidence of community spread in schools; and moderate community and student/staff vaccination rates based upon the entire population.

In addition to changing the masking requirements, the plan updates procedures relating to contact tracing by the district nursing department as directed by the PA Department of Health.

Ever since the mask mandate took effect, the school board received much public comment about it.

Beth Whitehill-Finch, who speaks regularly against masks at board meetings, offered comments on the change to optional face coverings.

“I’m happy. There always should have been choice,” said Whitehill-Finch.

She went on to express concern over what might happen if a new variant appears.

“How long will we be here? If everyone must be asked to protect a few, when will it ever end?” questioned Whitehill-Finch.

David Ellowitch, a frequent speaker at meetings who supports science and COVID-19 precautions, provided remarks on the revision and its handling.

“Thank you for your leadership at a difficult time,” said Ellowitch.

He went on to express concern over the communication process and the lack of specific data in how the decision was made to drop the mask requirement.

Although the district may reinstate mask mandates if COVID intensifies again, many speakers at this meeting announced their unwillingness to have their children return to wearing face coverings again.

The Health and Safety Plan revision was approved by a voice vote, with Jarrett Coleman voting no.