Protests continue in Westmoreland County over state’s mask mandate in schools

Protests continued at multiple school districts in Westmoreland County Wednesday as dozens of students and parents voiced their frustrations over the state’s mask mandate in schools.

Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 spoke with the Derry Area School District about how the district is handling frustrated families.

“I understand that frustration,” Derry Area Assistant Superintendent Greg Ferencak said. “We started off with a masks optional, but highly recommended and now we have to switch and there’s some confusion.”

Ferencak said the district’s original health and safety plan called for a change in policy in the event of a state or federal mandate. A small group of students and parents protested the decision to mandate masks in Derry each of the last two days.

“We are trying to let the voices of the students be heard and trying to be reasonable with them,” Ferencak said.

Ferencak said a failure to comply with the mandate could come with consequences for the district, including a loss of funding.

“We could be held liable for not following them through various complaints, willful neglect of duty, you name it,” Ferencak said.

Source: Protests continue in Westmoreland County over state’s mask mandate in schools

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