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HOLLIDAYSBURG -- The Hollidaysburg Area School Board approved the district's final health and safety plan Wednesday.
Masks will be optional for all staff and students if case numbers remain within the low, moderate or substantial transmission ranges. Should cases reach the high transmission range, masks could be mandated by the district if the board approves.
During the public comment period, parents and community members expressed their views on mask wearing and the district's role in choosing whether to require it.
Michael Eardley of Duncansville voiced his frustration with mask mandates.
"Masks in school are not a law," Eardley said. "Mandates are not laws as much as the district wants us to believe they are a law."
Eardley added that deciding whether students wear masks should be up to parents.
"This is a medical decision made by me, the parent," Eardley said.
Rick Imler of Duncansville didn't endorse masks specifically, but implored the board to follow guidelines.
"I urge you to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," Imler said. "As a scientist, I am urging you to listen to the science."
The board ultimately approved the plan 4-3.
Board President Ron Sommer, Board Vice President Scott Brenneman, Doug Stephens and Lonna Frye voted for the plan with Nicole Hartman, Ken Snyder and Manny Nichols opposing it.
Board members Melissa Mitchell and Rick Gallagher were absent.
After the meeting, Superintendent Robert Gildea said he's satisfied with the plan.
"Our fundamental responsibility is to protect kids," Gildea said. "Along with that, everyone knows that the best place for kids is in school, and, in order to keep kids safe, we've developed the best plan that we possibly can to accomplish that mission."
In other matters Wednesday, Gildea announced a delay to the construction of a new district maintenance building. The former building was sold to Frankstown Township but is being leased back by the district.
"We had the money set aside and the plans ready to put it out to bid and then COVID-19 hit and the cost to build that same building doubled in a year, so we obviously didn't have the money," Gildea said.
Mirror Staff Writer Andrew Mollenauer is at 814-946-7428.