Parents Blast Mask Policy At West Essex School Board Meeting

CALDWELLS, NJ — Face masks for students in New Jersey are no longer a local decision – it’s a state mandate, the West Essex Regional School District says. But that didn’t stop dozens of anti-masking advocates in the Caldwell area from packing a board of education meeting on Monday.

Angered over the state’s new masking mandate, several people bashed the rule, alleging that it’s not in the best interests of their children and undercuts their rights as parents. Watch videos of the Aug. 16 meeting here and here.

Some parents present at the meeting refused to put on masks, as per district policy. Eventually, North Caldwell police were called to the scene to help keep the peace, TAP Into West Essex reported.

The West Essex Regional School District serves the towns of Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell and Roseland. Its board of education members, like others in the state, don’t get paid to serve.

• See related article: New Jersey K-12 Students Must Wear Masks This Fall, Gov. Murphy Says

Superintendent Damion Macioci sent a letter to the school community earlier this month about the district’s masking policy. Macioci wrote:

“On Friday, Aug. 6, Gov. Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 251, which is aligned with current CDC recommendations, requiring all students, educators, staff, and visitors to wear face masks indoors (including school buses) for the start of the 2021-2022 school year. Exceptions will remain unchanged from last year.

“Our district planning team has been discussing the topic of masks throughout the summer. In light of the governor’s recent announcement, masking protocols are no longer a local decision, and we will be adhering to state guidelines.

“With that being said, we look forward to welcoming back all our students for full-day, full-time, in-person instruction and operations. Our district planning team will continue preparing for the upcoming school year, with emphasis on teaching and learning. Additional information will be provided at each of the board meetings in August.”

The issue is causing controversy throughout the region. Some people, including state Sen. Joseph Pennacchio (District 26), have argued that masks in schools are more trouble than they’re worth.

Others have countered that masks are a crucial way to protect kids and their families, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is recommending universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to K-12 schools – regardless of vaccination status.

• See related article: Masks In Schools? Debate Continues In Essex County [POLL]
• See related article: Masks In Montclair Schools 'Not A Political Decision,' Official Says

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