A Federal Judge Is Expected To Render Decision Monday In Perkiomen Valley Mask Lawsuit

PERKIOMEN VALLEY, PA — The federal judge in Philadelphia who is presiding over a lawsuit against the Perkiomen Valley School District over a school board decision to make face masks optional for students and staff is expected to render a decision in the case Monday as her previous temporary restraining order is set to expire on Tuesday.

U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone will likely issue a ruling Monday in a case that pits a class of plaintiffs against the school district and its elected board of directors.

The plaintiffs, unnamed special needs students who say the decision to go mask-optional puts them at risk of contracting COVID-19, succeeded in previously persuading Beetlestone to issue a temporary restraining order prohibiting the school district from enforcing the board's December vote to make face masks optional for everyone.

Since Beetlestone's decision two weeks ago, all students, staff and visitors in the district have once again been forced to wear masks throughout the school day.

But that temporary restraining order expires on Tuesday.

Channel 6 ABC Action News reported from the federal courthouse late last week following a hearing in Beetlestone's courtroom at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

A group of parents who showed up in support of the school board's decision to make masks optional were interviewed in the 6 ABC report.

The topic of face masks as a mitigation measure during the global COVID-19 pandemic has pitted freedom advocates who say they should be able to make their own health decisions against public health advocates who say masks work in helping to curb virus transmission rates.

While many Montgomery County school districts have continued to institute mandatory universal masking regardless of vaccination status, the Perkiomen Valley School District decided in December that mask-wearing should be a choice.

The plaintiffs who are suing claim that they are immunocompromised and that they are more likely to contract COVID-19 in a mask-optional environment.

In court papers, school district lawyers wrote that a universal mask mandate would result in "greater detriment to the students of the District than benefit."

The district also said that it needs to weigh the fact that forced mask-wearing can create problems for students who suffer from anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.

Patch will bring you more on the judge's expected decision as soon as it becomes available.