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The masks could make a comeback in the Altoona region school district as the board is expected to call a special meeting tonight to discuss the matter.
Currently, the district plan states that masks are optional for everyone except unvaccinated employees.
Since the plan was passed, however, Blair County has gone from moderate to substantial and has now entered the high transmission range for COVID-19 cases.
The council is to review the district plan at a 6 p.m. meeting and consider any changes. District officials said they expected strong public participation – both for and against a mask warrant – but a possible policy change was not unexpected.
In early August, Superintendent Charles Prijatelj declared that the district “watch it change” the masking policy and “make adjustments” if the community transmission rate reached a substantial level.
While he declined to comment on the masks, he said his No.1 priority was safety.
“We must ensure the health and safety of children”, he said. “I need the direction of the board as to what we want to do to move forward.
Prijatelj said he understands that a mask requirement will be controversial.
“There are a lot of opinions on both sides”, A friend said. “There is a lot of passion.
The position of board member Rick Hoover is that masks are essential, which he said he was very fond of.
“It’s a hot topic for me” Hoover said, adding that he has several family members who are teachers. “I think we should have started mandatory masking from day one. I think it’s always important to err on the side of caution, especially with the delta variant.
Hoover said it’s a simple matter of listening to science.
“Health professionals tell us the best defense against this is masking” Hoover said. “If COVID-19 spreads when we open the doors, it will hurt the community as a whole. “
District community relations director Paula Foreman wouldn’t say if the required masking is likely, but she said changes to the plan could be made.
“The purpose of the meeting is to talk about the level of transmission and the changes that could be made”, she said.
Foreman said she expects strong public participation at the meeting. Anyone wishing to attend and / or speak to the board must register before 3 p.m. by calling 814-946-8206 to register. Registered persons must present an identity document at the entrance.
The meeting will be broadcast live on the district’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/user/AltoonaSD/.
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