November 12, 2021
Dear Families,
We have received additional clarity and we can now confirm that a Stay is in place. This action comes as an automatic result of the appeal being filed yesterday afternoon. Thus, we are required to continue the mask mandate until either the Court lifts the Stay, the appeal is heard/denied, or until the expiration of the mandate on January 17, 2022 when the decision is given back to the local school districts.
As we informed you yesterday, at approximately 3:32 p.m. on November 10, 2021, the Secretary of Education released a statement outlining “Schools should continue to observe the school masking order throughout the duration of the Court’s proceedings.” PDE also stated the appeal will trigger a Stay of the Commonwealth Court’s ruling and keep the Masking Order in effect. As a result, Counsel for Senator Jake Corman’s group (Corman v. Beam, No. 294 MD 2021 (Pa. Cmmw. Ct. filed Sept. 3, 2021)) stated they will ask the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to lift the Stay.
I realize that our families have different thoughts, beliefs, and opinions on the subject. My goal is to not upset any of our families; rather, it is to simply present you with the rules to which the District must adhere. As such, we are asking for your help once more by having our students and staff arrive at school masked and ready to learn on Monday, November 15, 2021. I greatly apologize for the current situation we all find ourselves facing. Regardless of your views on the matter, schools are continuously placed in the middle of this battle. Once again, we find ourselves in a very difficult position and we ask that you as our community continue to support each other and the District as we are required to follow the directives issued.
Respectfully,
Mr. Michael J. Vuckovich
IASD Superintendent