Tensions were high as the Peters Township School Board of Directors was deciding whether to keep or reverse their universal masking policy. The school Board originally voted to amend the policy to their health and safety plan at their Aug. 16 meeting. However, reportedly 50-60 residents were denied entry because of the occupancy limit of the district administration offices. On Wednesday, residents were able to testify at the Board’s “special voting meeting,” which was a redo of the Aug. 16 meeting, at the Peters Township High School auditorium. Of the 44 people who spoke, the 28-count majority urged the Board to return to optional masking. Many argued that the school has no authority to enforce masks since it’s not a state mandate. “It’s just a small portion of the population trying to force their beliefs on the larger portion who doesn’t believe it,” said one man who wished not to be named. Pro-masking residents insisted that the universal masking policy should remain. 37-year-old Robin Eiszler believes students who choose not to wear masks could lead to deadly consequences. “Even if the survival rate seems like it might be high, when you’re talking about something so infectious that possibly everyone could be infected, you end up with over half of a million people dead,” says Eiszler. At the end of the five-hour meeting, the Board voted to keep the mandate in a 6-3 decision- a slight difference from their initial 5-4 decision. Director Lisa Anderson, who favored universal masking, said the decision benefits student safety and education. “Our job is to look at the totality of the circumstances that present themselves to us and to use our vote for what will keep the most students and school to take advantage of in-person instruction and to keep our buildings open,” said Anderson. Although universal masking was approved, the Board faces issues of pending litigation. The Board faces a lawsuit from 143 residents, which claims their Aug. 16 meeting is in violation of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act. Their Washington County Courthouse hearing is scheduled for Aug. 27. The School Board of Directors declined to comment on the matter.