KCSD stays course on student masking policy

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – The Keystone Central School District will continue its current masking procedures at least through the end of this week as a statewide student mask mandate challenge plays out in the state court system.

State Commonwealth Court on Wednesday voided a masking directive issued by the acting state health secretary in August, but the Wolf administration immediately filed an appeal to the state Supreme Court and subsequent news reports said that appeal would stay the lower court order.

In a posting from the school board and Superintendent Jacquelyn Martin, the district informed parents that “With all of the uncertainty, KCSD will follow the current masking procedures at least through the end of this week.” Their message noted the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases in Clinton County and said there are 31 cases among district students and three among staff members presently. The state reported 70 new cases in Clinton County on Wednesday, the highest one-day number this fall.

The district statement:

November 10, 2021

 Dear KCSD Families, Staff and Community Members: 

 Today the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania issued a ruling that voids the Pa. Face Covering Order for schools which was issued by the Acting Secretary of Health Allison Beam on August 31, 2021.  In an immediate response, there was an appeal filed in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court late today.  We have been advised that this appeal provides a “stay” on the Commonwealth Court ruling.  Many legal scenarios could play out in the next few days but they are unknown at this time.

With all of the uncertainty, KCSD will follow the current masking procedures at least through the end of this week.  The rationale for this decision includes:

• Families made their decision for children to attend our school or virtual academy based on the fact that there would be masking in our schools.  To change the protocol mid week would be disrespectful of their decisions.
• Continued masking is recommended by the Pa. Secretary of Education, Noe Ortega.
• There is currently an uptick in positive cases within Clinton County, but active cases among students total 31 and there are only 3 cases among our staff members. This is less than 1% of our population.  Our layered mitigation efforts appear to be working.
• It has been recommended by our legal team to follow our current board approved health and safety plan which includes following state and federal mandates.

We are hopeful that there will be clear information tomorrow from the state level.  Changes to the health and safety plan will be discussed tomorrow evening at the scheduled public board meeting.  We will also be making a decision about masking for the following week.

We are frustrated with the frequent changes given to us with short notice, and it is difficult for our staff and families to manage abrupt changes.  We want our students and teachers to be in class tomorrow without disruptions, therefore we are asking for your cooperation in following our mitigation efforts.
Sincerely,

 KCSD Board of Directors Tracy Smith, Randy Strouse, Polly Donahay, Roger Elling, Wayne Koch, Elisabeth Lynch, Boise Miller, Jeff Johnston, and Eric Probert and Superintendent Dr. Jacquelyn Martin.

The school board has its November voting session scheduled for Thursday at 6:30 p.m.