TO: Faculty, Staff, Parents, Guardians and Students

FROM: D. Johnston, Superintendent

RE: Masks Requirements in Our School Buildings

DATE: November 11, 2021

P.M.A.S. D. will maintain the same masking requirements on Friday, November 12, 2021 and in the immediate future until clarity and guidance is provided to our school district.

Yesterday afternoon, November 10, 2021, in a 4-1 decision the Commonwealth Court found the Pennsylvania Secretary of Health’s August 31, 2021, Masking Mandate is void.  The Court stated that: “For the foregoing reasons, we find the Masking Order to be void ab initio.” 

Accordingly, the Court granted the Petitioners’ Application and denied Respondent’s (Secretary of Health’s) Application for Enforcement. Consequently, the Court declared the Masking Order unenforceable.  Within hours, the Governor filed a Notice of Appeal with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

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. The Pennsylvania Department of Education also stated the appeal will trigger a Stay of the Commonwealth Court’s ruling and keep the Masking Order in effect.

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.

Again, our administration and Board of School Directors find ourselves in limbo while this legal battle plays out.  As a result, P.M.A.S.D. will continue to require masking on Friday, November 12, 2021 and into the immediate future just as we did in school on November 10, 2021 until we receive clarification.  We will continue to work with our school solicitor to make the best decisions for our students and employees. Your patience and cooperation is greatly appreciated.