Some Kiski Area parents, students call on district to make mask wearing optional, despite state mandate
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Tensions remain high in Kiski Area School District over the state-imposed mask mandate for K-12 schools.
More than 100 parents and children showed up for Wednesday’s school board meeting to express their opposition to the Health Department mandate that took effect Sept. 7. Nearly 30 of them addressed the board, including 7-year-old Mason Miller, a North Primary student who told board members “masks suck.”
April Hodges and Antoinette Pampena, parents of children in the district who formed a group called Kiski Families For Freedom, presented a petition to the board calling on it to make mask-wearing optional for students.
The petition had more than 600 signatures as of Thursday. Kiski Area enrolls about 3,700 students.
Because of the large turnout, district officials moved the meeting from the administrative room to the larger high school auditorium.
Many of those in attendance opted not to wear a mask, as is required inside school buildings under the state mandate. School officials did not try to enforce the rule.
Pampena, of Washington Township, told the board that her group – what she called a “silent majority” – will no longer remain silent.
“You are elected, local officials who have the power to govern locally (but) who do not know what’s best for our local community. This stops now,” Pampena said.
Eric Baker of Bell Township, also a district parent, implored the board to bring back the optional mask policy that was in place at the start of the school year.
“These mandates are simply words. They are not law. They carry no weight. They have no power. They are nothing unless the people ordered to enforce them comply,” Baker said. “You can choose to comply with (Gov. Wolf’s) arbitrary mandates or you can choose to represent us.”
There were some tense moments, with some audience members tearing up or yelling and others demanding and imploring the board to take action. Some speakers told board members they would be voted out and said they should be ashamed of themselves.
The board unanimously approved an optional mask-wearing policy in its health and safety plan in August. The state Health Department announced on Aug. 31 a statewide mask mandate for schools and day cares as cases soared.
Board member Mark Flemm expressed frustration with those in the crowd who “screamed and yelled” and asked questions but then left before the board delivered their remarks.
“It’s sad that people scream and yell and then leave and don’t sit here and listen to the board’s comments. We’re supposed to have respect and listen to you, but then you don’t want to hear us when we respond,” Flemm said. “It’s not easy for any of us and believe me, your comments are heard.”
Officials said if any action would be taken to change the current mask policy, it would have to appear on the agenda for Monday’s meeting. Flemm said there were no mask-related items on the agenda for that meeting.