Norwin School District to continue ‘parents’ choice’ masking policy

NORTH HUNTINGDON, Pa. — After a nearly unanimous decision from the school board Monday evening, the Norwin School District will continue allowing masking in schools to be “the parents’ choice.”

This means masks are optional for students, despite Gov. Tom Wolf’s statewide order that doesn’t expire until mid-January.

“I like it,” said Norwin parent Stephanie Cordis.

DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts

“I was really angry and upset,” said Melissa Karabin, another Norwin parent.

Currently, there is a statewide mask order in schools until Jan. 17.

However, the state filed an appeal, which means mandating masking in schools stays in place for now.

After that happened last week, Norwin changed to a policy of “parent choice” for masking in school buildings.

Monday night, the Norwin School Board voted to continue that policy, even though it can’t legally make that decision.

The majority of the board supported the policy, with just two members voting against it.

Karabin, an immunocompromised Norwin mother of two, went to the meeting last night with paperwork in hand, and left enraged.

“You don’t have a right to put our kids lives in jeopardy. You are making a political decision. It should’ve been a medical decision,” said Karabin.

Some parents and residents told Channel 11 they consider “parent choice” a win for all.

[Here is how to stay informed about coronavirus updates from WPXI]

“Actually, the kids enjoy school more now that they have a choice. Before, they dreaded going because they couldn’t breathe all day,” said Norwin parent Stephanie Cordis.

Others say it’s a systemic failure.

“This means we have to continue to take precautions. I continue to stay in my house,” said Karabin.

Channel 11 reached out to the Norwin superintendent and district regarding the board vote and policy, who said they had no comment.

The governor’s office reports the district can face potential lawsuits and lose protection of sovereign immunity for violating the mandate.

They went on to say, 

“All requirements and guidelines under the masking requirements that were in place prior to the court ruling are still in place today. That said, we are aware of reports that some school districts are misinterpreting the ruling, but would note that the vast majority of school districts are abiding the order. As has been the case since the inception of the order, school officials who fail to adhere to the order could lose the protection of sovereign immunity, and may personally face lawsuits from those who may be affected by any official’s attempt to ignore the order. Failing to implement or follow the control measures may expose individuals to personal liability under 42 Pa.C.S § 8550 (relating to willful misconduct), as well as other remedies as provided by law. Failure to implement and follow the control measures under the order also subjects a person to the penalty provisions of the Disease Prevention and Control Law of 1955,”

Individual school districts are responsible for enforcing the order and ensuring individual exception requests are appropriate under the order and related state and federal law.

Face coverings are required while in school entities unless they meet one of the exceptions in Section 3 of the order, as follows:

“PDE (Pennsylvania Department of Education) recommends that any exception be in accordance with eligibility under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for such medical or mental health condition or disability. School entities should follow their established processes for determining student eligibility under those laws, including any medical documentation that they would normally require. Schools should make available mitigation strategies and accommodations for each student who meets one or more of the exceptions in Section 3 of the Order.”

“If such a student is unable to use a face covering, a school should collaborate with student’s parent/guardian and health care provider, a certified school nurse, and school administrators to develop an appropriate educational plan of care for the student (should use 504 plan, individualized educational plan (IEP), or emergency care plan (ECP) when appropriate); determine how to meet student needs safely and consider CDC recommendations for people at increased risk; and, to protect immunocompromised students, schools should implement layered prevention strategies, such as requiring masks, promoting vaccination, improving ventilation, and physical distancing.”

WPIAL investigating claims of racist comments from players during Steel Valley, South Side game