Masks Optional In Ringgold School District

August 19, 2021 4:08 am

The Ringgold School Board did what many of the other school districts in western Pennsylvania are doing on Wednesday night. School Directors updated their health and safety plan for the 2021-2022 school year.  Superintendent Randall Skrinjorich outlined the modifications that were made to the earlier plan from July. Those changes are that masks in the Ringgold School District will remain optional, however if any governmental guidance mandates masks to be worn, then they will be worn. Also at issue was Covid-19 testing and vaccinations. The plan specifically states that any testing must be approved by the parent. Skrinjorich went further to state that Ringgold will not administer tests or vaccinations at all. Skrinjorich did make clear that there is one place that masks must be worn and that is on school buses. He stated that that is a federal mandate and Ringgold must comply with that rule. During discussion before the vote, director Larry Mauro voiced his dissent for the policy saying it did not go far enough to protect students. Director Carol Flament countered Mauro saying that if parents want to send the kids with masks that is fine, but those parents that do not want to use masks should be allowed to do so. The vote was a roll call vote. It went down 7-2 accepting the amendments. The first day of school for students is August 23.