Knoch Area School District parent Barb Brace voices her concerns over mask policy at Wednesday's school board meeting. About 45 parents, family members and students attended the session.

About 45 people turned out at Wednesday night's South Butler County School Board meeting, mostly to condemn the board's decision to comply with the state Department of Health's mandate that all students wear masks.

Tom Breth, district solicitor, reminded those in attendance that his law firm is leading a challenge to the school mask mandate, and that a hearing will be held on Thursday in Commonwealth Court in Harrisburg on the issue.

“This is the correct process to challenge this order,” Breth said.

He also said the school board should make a good faith effort to uphold the mandate until a court of law determines whether the mandate is enforceable or not.

“I hope this evening we will set a good example for the students who may be watching in how we conduct ourselves,” Breth said.

Five people spoke out about the mask mandate, which took effect on Tuesday statewide for all public school students.Kara Zumach said the district's mask exemption requirement that families provide a doctor's note does not align with the state Department of Health guidelines that parents need only “state” that their child should be exempted.“I'm asking that the order be followed and to allow exemptions to happen without hostility,” Zumach said.She implored the board to let parents allow their children to go to school without a mask.“It's only as difficult as you make it,” Zumach said.Tracy Gilliland said the legal definition of child abuse includes a section that prohibits interfering with the breathing of a child. She said no peer-reviewed studies prove that masks are effective in stemming the spread of COVID-19, but that they cause a litany of negative affects on a student's physical and mental health.

Gilliland equated the wearing of masks by students to “mind control and enslavement” and called the mandate socialist.“If the pandemic were as serious as they said it was, we would be tripping over dead bodies in the street,” she said.She also asked the board to respect the wishes of parents who want their students exempted from wearing a mask to school.Temple Stehle said no penalty exists should the district ignore the state mask mandate. “It's illegal and unconstitutional, and you know it,” Stehle said.Barb Brena said that those who have received the vaccine remain contagious.She said the district should offer an option to allow students not to wear a mask at school if they so choose. “We want our kids heard, not Governor Wolf,” Brena said.Debra Miller, a school board member, said at the end of the meeting that she wears a mask to protect others just as she has her car inspected so it does not malfunction and injure another. “Following all the mandates from the federal and state level is our responsibility,” Miller said.No action was taken by the board regarding the mask mandate.

The board also passed a three-year contract with its 162 teachers that was reached in just two meetings with the South Butler County Education Association.The contract, which takes effect on July 1, 2022 and expires on June 30, 2025, was approved by a vote of 7-2.The new contract includes a pay increase of 3.25% in the first year, 3.35% in the second year and 3.4% in the third year.Board members Debra Miller and Rebecca Boyd cast the dissenting votes.

Christine Schumacher of Jefferson Township attends Wednesday evening's South Butler County School Board session where parents and family members voiced concerns over the statewide mask mandate imposed by Gov. Tom Wolf.

Knoch Area School District parents clap for a speaker objecting to the school's compliance with the state mask mandate at the district's school board meeting Wednesday.