By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

At his first meeting as Parkland’s new superintendent, Dr. Mark Madson listened to nearly an hour long public comment session on the issue of whether masks should or should not be required when school resumes for the new term.

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase and CDC pronouncements are ever changing, school districts have to prepare for the safety of students and staff for the new term.

Before discussion on the plan, which was on the July 17 board meeting agenda, parents of students and other interested individuals expressed their opinions on masks during public comment time.

About a dozen people said masks should not be required for students. Four spoke in favor of masks to minimize the spread of infection from COVID-19 and its variants.

The overall message from the parents who spoke was they, not the school district, the CDC, or anyone else, should be the ones making health determinations for their children.

On the other side, one young man who said he is a rising sophomore at Parkland, said COVID-19 cases are increasing and children have not been vaccinated.

“There are emotions on both sides, and recommendations are changing rapidly,” Madson said.

He noted some people think regulations are too restrictive. Others say they are not restrictive enough.

“Our top priority is a safe return to in-person learning,” Madson said. “No one decision will alleviate every concern.

“No single set of precautions will eradicate COVID-19.”

He added the district strives to minimize the impact.

“The increase in cases in Pennsylvania is making it harder for school districts to make decisions,” Madson said. “We are in continuous communication with our health care providers.”

He said face coverings are still a recommendation from various advisory sources.

The Health and Safety Plan, developed by 30 district administrators, recommends eligible individuals get vaccinated, and those who are not vaccinated should wear face coverings.