KCSD mask mandate continues in effect

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – Keystone Central School District Superintendent Jacquelyn Martin says the mask mandate within the school community will remain in effect until at least Dec. 8.

In her monthly newsletter posted on Wednesday, the superintendent noted the state Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that Pennsylvania’s K-12 school mask requirement will remain in place until at least the Dec. 8 date. She wrote, “KCSD will continue to follow the order. When the mask order is lifted, masking will be voluntary in accordance with our health and safety plan.”

She said the district is closely monitoring COVID-19 cases among staff members and students. “If we reach the CDC threshold of 5% of positive cases, we may need to close our schools or the district move to a full remote model.” She said current case numbers are between 1% and 3% across the district.

As of Wednesday, Clinton, Centre and Potter counties remain at a high level of community spread with their number of COVID cases, she wrote. “According to local health officials, the number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are still high and most of those cases include unvaccinated individuals. The CDC and our local health officials are highly recommending vaccinations for children over age 5 and adults within our community. Local data is clear that vaccinations reduce the risk of illness or death resulting from the virus.”

Statistics Wednesday from the state showed 36 new cases in Clinton County, one of the highest totals in recent weeks; additionally there was one more death attributed to COVID, running the total to four local deaths over the last two days.