Over 700 Parents Sign Petition For 'Mask Choice' At Westfield Schools

WESTFIELD, NJ — A group of Westfield parents created an online petition to advocate for a "mask choice" policy in the Westfield School District, as the expiration of the state mandate for masks in schools quickly approaches.

Superintendent Dr. Raymond Gonazález and the Board of Education have yet to decide whether Westfield Schools will go mask optional next month. In response to this indecision, Westfield parents took it upon themselves to create an online petition, where currently 759 people have signed it in support of a mask-choice policy.

As Gov. Phil Murphy recently announced that the statewide mask mandate in schools will be lifted starting March 7, many school districts have opted to make masks optional for students.

In Union County, school districts in Summit, Clark, Scotch Plains-Fanwood and Cranford have all decided to not require masks in accordance with Murphy's announcement.

Many Westfield parents expressed their frustration with the district's indecision at last week's Board of Education meeting. Several members of the school community spoke out against mask-wearing in schools, arguing that they are a hinderance to learning and cause mental health problems for students.

The Board also had to pause the meeting when someone from the audience a pizza delivery, which prompted people to remove their masks, violating the mask mandate that is still in place.

Read more: Westfield Parents Test Mask Policy With Pizza Delivery At Meeting

The petition created by Westfield parents is "intended to communicate to Dr. González and the Westfield BOE [their] collective support for mask choice at all Westfield District schools once the state mandate expires," according to the description.

Parents have also organized a Facebook group called "Mask Choice Westfield."

The page's description reads as follows:

"We are a group of people who are coming together regardless of political party. This is a safe space for everyone and disrespect will not be tolerated. We are here to understand one another. Finger pointing is non productive and toxic. This group is not for that. We hope to bridge the gap between those who want to take the first step toward normalcy and those who are still unsure. We want to come together united, from all backgrounds and beliefs, to advocate for the students of Westfield."

In a message to the community last week, González said he was "cautiously optimistic" that the COVID activity in the Westfield Schools will continue to decrease and that the vaccination rate for eligible students will continue to rise.

"I am eager to return a sense of normalcy to our schools as soon and safely as possible; however, we've come too far to rush this," González said in his email. "So, for the next four weeks, we will work diligently to ensure that any adjustments to our existing COVID protocols and mitigation strategies are appropriate to current conditions."

To stay up to date with any future announcements from Westfield Schools, visit their website or Facebook page.

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