Credit: Neshaminy School District
Levittown-area school districts were caught dealing with the fallout of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court killing a mandate by the administration of Gov. Tom Wolf that required masks to be worn in all K-12 schools and childcare centers.
The Friday ruling upholding a lower-court decision ended the statewide order from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, but it allows for school districts to make their own policies on mask wearing.
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School administrators spent the weekend reviewing the ruling.
Dr. Thomas Shaffer, the acting superintendent of the Bristol Borough School District, said the existing mask policy in borough’s schools will remain in place.
“We will review the policy after the holidays,” he said.
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The Bristol Township School District advised parents they will continue to require mask wearing in schools and on buses.
“With COVID cases increasing in our schools, the district, the county, and state, we feel this is the best option to keep everyone safe,” Superintendent Dr. Melanie Gehrens said.
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With the holiday season and travel upcoming, the school district asked parents to follow federal travel guidelines to cut down on the spread of COVID-19.
The Bristol Township School Board was set to meet Monday evening. The topic of COVID-19 mitigation measures was likely to come up.
The Bucks County Technical High School administration moved from mandating masks for students, staff, and guests in the school to recommending them.
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Administrative Director Dr. Leon Poeske noted recent increases in cases in the county and pointed to the health department’s recommendations to wear masks in school, get vaccinated, keep distant when possible, and wash hands frequently.
“The goal of BCTHS is to continue having in-person learning with as few COVID absences and disruptions as possible. Everyone’s help in following these recommendations gives the school its best chance of keeping students in the building,” Poeske said.
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In the Pennsbury School District, officials told parents staff and students will continue to wear masks in facilities due to the rise in cases in Bucks County and in Pennsbury.
“This plan has served us well, and we have avoided the outbreaks and school closures that some surrounding school districts have faced. As listed in our plan, we will move toward a mask optional approach as cases decrease,” Superintendent Dr. Thomas Smith said.
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The Neshaminy School District informed parents masks in schools are recommended for students, but it will be up to the students and parents to decide. The mask requirement will remain for buses.
Neshaminy staff and contractors will be “expected” to wear a mask indoors when near students.
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“I realize there is no win-win scenario in this situation,” Superintendent Dr. Rob McGee said. “As a nation, we are polarized on the topic of masks in school. However, as a district and community, Neshaminy has successfully managed each turn of the COVID Pandemic over the past two years. We have done so by being well-planned, transparent and well-communicated along with being respectful and civil in our debates.”
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