North Allegheny School Board meets in empty auditorium after some in audience fail to mask up

North Allegheny School Board met in an empty auditorium Wednesday, Oct. 27 after some in the audience failed to comply with the district’s mask mandate, and the board asked everyone in the audience to leave.

The board meeting, which was being held at the high school auditorium, was delayed by almost an hour from its scheduled 7 p.m. start time as the board waited for a few audience members to mask up or leave.

Brandi Smith, a school district spokeswoman, said less than five people in the audience of about 10 people failed to mask up.

Meetings are conducted virtually and in-person.

Everyone has to wear a mask indoors in district buildings no matter their vaccination status, according to the school district.

North Allegheny Board President Andrew Chomos requested everyone to wear masks before he could call the meeting to order, or audience members could to listen to the meeting online or outside of the auditorium, if they wanted.

Eventually, the board had to ask everyone to leave due to noncompliance.

Public comment periods were still conducted, but those wanting to speak had to come in one at a time to provide comments. The board and administration all stayed in the room to conduct the meeting.

During the meeting, Christina Lane, representing North Allegheny’s solicitor, Maiello, Brungo & Maiello, said that the school district is involved in a lawsuit, part of which forces the district to require mask wearing indoors.

“It’s important for the district involved in litigation that we comply with that order,” Lane said.