The Butler Area School District continues to be caught in the middle between the medical and educational mandates of the state and parents who believe mask mandates to be useless or harmful.
A large number of parents and guardians of children in the district chose to attend Monday night’s school board meeting to share opinions about the latest state requirement for families to provide evidence about children who they do not want wearing masks.
Superintendent Dr. Brian White shared his impressions of the contentious issue including the fact that he has personally received several threats by email and over the phone. Still, White maintains his goal is cooperation to achieve the best education possible.
“My goal is to keep kids in school. I want to work with you, but you have to work with us on that too,” White said. “I’m not going to try and defend Harrisburg. I’m not going to rail against them. I’ve given up out of frustration and trying to pick sides on this issue. My goal is to try and keep students in school, and keep them the most comfortable and healthiest the best I can.”
More than 10 residents signed up to speak during the nearly 90 minute public comment section of the meeting or were heard voicing opinions from the audience in opposition to mandating masks for all children.
According to the latest update from the district’s website, there are currently 77 active cases among students and staff throughout the district.
