SCASD parents lobbying school board again tonight, 4:45 p.m. at Panorama Building (240 Villa Crest)

Report from last week’s school board meeting and update about this week’s meeting.

Report on June 21 school board meeting:

On Monday June 21 a group of SCASD concerned parents gathered at the Panorama school administration building where the school board meeting was held. 

The group of about 40+ grandparents, parents, children, and other concerned taxpayers had signs, sidewalk chalk, and chants of "Masks Optional. One Rule For All."  As each board member came, a group representative handed each one an envelope that contained a letter with information on four concerns with the mask rules related to mental health, education, covid-19 risk to kids, and bullying (graphic attached). 

Some board members happily took the envelope, some took them reluctantly, and one refused it and said to email it to her. 

Someone called the police, reporting "a group of 50 people blocking the doors."  When three police cars pulled up, they saw that it was a peaceful gathering of people who were not blocking anything or doing anything wrong.  They were very friendly to the SCASD parents’ group.

The SCASD school board then met and voted to move the 2021 Health and Safety Plan update to the next meeting as an action item so no changes were made at the June 21 meeting.  Public comment took place at the end of the meeting and about 6 people spoke.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for Monday June 28 and at that meeting they will be voting on an update to the 2021 Health and Safety Plan. This will also be the day that the governor's mask mandate is scheduled to end. 

The plan is to gather again at the meeting location at the Panorama school building with signs before the meeting to let them know that there is a large community group that is opposed to policies that mandate masks on children in school, based on vaccines. Plan to attend with your family and friends!  

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Update on June 28, 2021 meeting:

Tonight the SCASD Board of Directors will hold a special board meeting where they will vote on the update for the 2021 Summer Health & Safety Plan.  

Action Alert: A group of concerned citizens and SCASD parents plans to gather outside the meeting location. There will be an executive session for the board Monday evening at 5:30 pm.  We are asking everyone to arrive by 4:45. 

Bring friends, neighbors, relatives, and signs supporting the cause. The theme of "Masks Optional: One Rule For All" will continue this week.

Here are the details:

What: Gather to show support for "Mask Optional: One Rule for All" as the SCASD board of directors meet to vote on the 2021 Summer Health & Safety plan

Where: Panorama Village Administrative Center, 240 Villa Crest Drive, State College

When: Meet at 4:45pm (Plan to leave shortly after 5:30 when their executive session starts)

What To Bring: Friends, Family and Signs

After the gathering, we will all leave to log on to the Zoom meeting that starts at 7:30 pm. Everyone can register to attend remotely at https://www.scasd.org/remoteboardmeetings

A reminder that they will take public comment during the meeting under the ACTION ITEM for the Summer Health and Safety Plan and there will also be a separate public comment later in the meeting for topics not related to that night's board business.

Please plan to comment during the public comment period, even if it is to simply state your name, and say that you agree with others that masks should be optional for all.