The Jim Thorpe Area School District will move forward with optional mask wearing in school, for the 2021-22 school year, as planned.

The school board received 16 emails regarding optional mask wearing in school prior to Wednesday’s school board meeting. A dozen of them were supportive of the decision.

“We are not just doing what we want, trust me,” said Scott Pompa, board president.

“We are trying to work through a very difficult situation and trying to appease everyone with this is virtually impossible. We continue to receive guidance from our health care providers and watch the CDC recommendations. We will follow in accordance.”

A pair of public comments at Wednesday’s meeting disagreed with the decision, citing the CDC’s recommendation for universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools - regardless of vaccination status.

“That is it - they are recommended, it is not a mandate. It is a recommendation and many parents have made it clear that they do not want their children wearing masks,” said Pompa.

“So, we are taking the road that we will make it optional while it is a recommendation. When it becomes a mandate, then we will be obligated to follow it. Everyone has an opinion on it, and we can’t make everyone happy. … We are navigating through some very difficult times through this whole COVID situation. Everyone’s input is being considered, I appreciate it, and we are doing our best to comply and be fair to everyone who has an opinion.”

Kendall Alexander, Pennsylvania Department of Education Press Secretary, said administration isn’t considering reinstating a statewide mask mandate.

“However, we recommend Pennsylvanians, including schools, follow CDC guidance,” Alexander said. “Schools, local governments, and businesses can adopt stricter COVID prevention strategies, including mask requirements. Masking mandates do not need to come from the state.”

Earlier this week, the Tamaqua Area School Board’s education committee determined to let parents decide if their students should wear a mask on the bus. It’ll be put to vote in front of Tamaqua’s school board next week.

Jim Thorpe superintendent John Rushefski confirmed that won’t be the case for Thorpe students.

“As far as transportation, when we passed the plan, that’s mandated - so that’s an expectation,” said Rushefski. “You get on the bus, get off the bus, you have to properly wear your face mask.”

Are school busses considered “public transportation?” According to Alexander, the answer is yes.

“In this case, the CDC order requiring masks on public transportation applies to school buses,” Alexander added.

Rushefski referred to Jim Thorpe’s campuses as “mask friendly” and encouraged those who want to mask-up to do so.

“We don’t want to give the impression that this is a political thing, or something to be shameful of. We want people to be comfortable and feel no shame whether you decide to wear a face covering, or not wear a face covering.

“Our goal is to have a 180-day school year. No telework Fridays - as close to a pre-COVID school year as possible. … It’s multilayered approach that’s being promoted now by the CDC and department of health and we’re certainly looking at that layered approach to help us have the most normal school year possible.”

Rushefski said the cafeteria could be a vulnerable area, but added that students need to interact.

In addition to the high school, Plexiglas dividers will be installed in the cafeterias of each elementary school.

“We think that’s going to be critical of not having a mandate across the board of face coverings in the cafeteria,” said Rushefski. “A lot of things really concerned us - we’re watching students stop socializing. We lost that normal kind of social variance and we’re looking to restore that again.”