Greater Latrobe OKs mask-optional plan for 2021-22 school year by 6-3 vote

Greater Latrobe School Board has voted 6-3 against requiring face coverings for students or staff when a full schedule of in-person classes begins Aug. 30 for the 2021-22 school year.

According to the district health and safety plan, recommended by Superintendent Georgia Teppert at a special Tuesday meeting, face coverings will be optional for students and staff in district buildings. But Teppert pointed out students will have to wear masks while riding school buses, under a federal mandate that requires face coverings on public transportation.

The covid-19 infection rate in Westmoreland County is relatively low, with 13.2 cases per 100,000 residents reported during July 16-22.

Teppert said the district will continue to monitor county covid transmission levels, adding that district health protocols, including mask rules, will be “subject to change at any time,” based on evolving data or mandates.

School Board President Eric Hauser voted for the mask-optional plan and said it is possible because of the area’s decreased infection rate and the district’s ability to change course if greater protective measures become necessary.

“We’re OK because our people are doing their due diligence,” Hauser said. “We will stay on top of it. If masks are needed, we will put the masks on.”

Citing the ability of the covid-19 delta variant to spread among those who have been vaccinated against the virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just hours earlier on Tuesday recommended indoor masks for all teachers, staff, students and visitors at schools nationwide, regardless of their vaccination status.

Teppert said state officials have recommended that school districts follow CDC guidance “to the greatest extent possible,” while noting that “such plans are a local decision.”

She said the district places a high priority on face-t0-face instruction, which she noted also will provide students regular access to mental health and social and emotional services at school.

Under the approved district health plan, all students will eat in the cafeteria and will be able to share books and other classroom materials. While the CDC recommends those inside schools maintain a minimum distance of 3 feet from each other, Teppert noted that “may not be possible during certain instructional activities, including small group instruction, labs, cooperative learning or similar activities.”

Teppert said students will be encouraged to use hand sanitizer or wash their hand for at least 20 seconds before and after sharing materials.

She said the district no longer will offer its own online instruction. Students who want to learn at home may enroll in an online academy offered through the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit, after they consult with their building principal and counselor.

Dr. Michael Zorch, Cathy Sarraf and Heidi Kozar voted against the health plan and spoke in favor of a district mask requirement.

Zorch, who is a retired emergency room physician, said he believes in following the guidance of officials at the CDC and at the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has recommended all those age 3 or older wear masks.

“We have experts that have made recommendations that we have to pay attention to,” he said, while suggesting mask-wearing might be waived for some, including teachers who have been vaccinated.

He said he’s concerned about the possible impact on more vulnerable members of the community, including older residents with underlying health issues who may pick up their grandchildren from school.

“The way to stay in school is by not spreading the virus,” said Sarraf. “I don’t trust that it’s OK to put 15, 20 or 25 kids in a classroom when we know everyone under 12 isn’t vaccinated and some of the teenagers are not as well. Everyone in school should be wearing masks.”

Parent John Fullmer said the district plan “doesn’t feel healthy, doesn’t feel safe at all.” He said he has two children attending Mt. View Elementary, one of whom is “viewed as a high-risk kid,” with asthma and other respiratory problems.

“As this delta variant is increasing, I don’t understand the recommendation that we would not require masks,” Fullmer said. “To me, it doesn’t feel that you’re putting the safety of the children first.”

Shawn Lazeski, who has two children attending the senior high, said he is opposed to a mask mandate. “Masks impair the ability of children to learn non-verbal communication skills,” he argued, suggesting masks also make it more difficult for teachers to pick up cues from students who may be struggling to understand a lesson.

He said mask issues have added to the stress students have experienced during the pandemic, and school board member Dr. Rhonda Laughlin, who is an optometrist, agreed.

“Wer’e putting so much pressure on the children to say you’re responsible for the death of others if you don’t wear your mask,” she said. “These kids have so much anxiety.”