Penn Hills School District requiring masks for all students, staff at start of school year

Penn Hills School District students, staff and visitors will have to wear masks for the start of the coming school year.

School board members voted 8-0 Wednesday to approve the district’s health and safety plan with the mask mandate. School Director Evelyn Herbert was absent.

Parents Brian and Alexis Herr implored the board to make masks a recommendation and not a requirement.

Brian Herr talked about Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics that show more children have died from the flu than from covid, and that the district does not follow every single CDC recommendation.

Alexis Herr said masks have been known to be a psychological detriment to children who have to wear them all day, and that the masks can become contaminated with bacteria.

“I won’t stand here and make light of the devastation covid has brought to many families,” Alexis Herr said. “But we cannot become so focused on a singular virus that we dismiss the harms created by forcing upon our children mitigation measures needed by older, at-risk demographics.”

Board President Erin Vecchio said she hates wearing masks and they give hear headaches, but they are necessary for everyone’s safety.

Other safety protocols in the plan, which was attached to the meeting’s online agenda via boarddocs.com, include regular hand-washing breaks, workstations for both students and staff at least 3 feet apart and regular cleanings.

“We are going to have a safe year,” board Vice President Jackie Blakey-Tate said. “We are going to have a positive year. … Whatever mitigation efforts we take to keep (students) safe, I am in favor of.”

Masks were also mandated at the district’s summer programs.

Temperature checks remain

The board voted 7-1 to continue offering temperature checks via Mobile Health Services at the middle and elementary school for at least the first 90 days.

Board member Elizabeth Rosemeyer dissented. She said A little less than $140,000 was paid to the company, partially owned by district Solicitor Bruce Dice, last school year and only about 25 students were turned away for high temperatures.

Rosemeyer also noted the district’s pandemic review committee did not recommend temperature checks.

Board member Rob Marra said the temperature checks were an added layer of protection against covid. He said the cost would be covered through federal pandemic relief funds.

District officials noted they would not be required at the high school because many of those students were vaccinated. The district hosted two vaccination clinics over the summer.

Families have the option of full-time, in-person learning or virtual instruction through the district’s cyber academy.

About the coming year

Teachers report on Tuesday, Aug. 24. The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 30.

About 3,100 students are enrolled for the coming school year.

Students will see a few new faces at the three schools. The board approved nine new hires to replace retired teachers.

Superintendent Nancy Hines said there are a little more than 200 teachers all different in terms of age, schooling, experience and other demographics.

“It’s a diverse group and our kids are really going to benefit from that, and our staff, as well, because of the energy,” Hines said. “I think we all recognize the value of school.

“I know many of our families want to have the opportunity for their kids to have the option of on-site learning. As long as it feels like we can do that safely, we’re going to do that.”

More information about district activities is available at phsd.k12.pa.us.