Tamaqua Area School District students didn’t have to wear masks during their return to school.

That’s won’t change after Labor Day weekend.

Despite the state Department of Health’s latest K-12 mask mandate, the Tamaqua Area School District determined that optional masking was in the best interest of its students.

A special meeting was held on Thursday, where a 5-2 vote was passed by the board in favor of keeping the district’s health and safety plan the same - with masks being optional.

“We’ve decided to continue with the optional masking through next week and after next Tuesday. That’s what we’ll be doing and implementing as directed by the board,” said Ray Kinder, superintendent.

“I believe people on both sides of this issue - they both believe in the health and welfare of kids. I just think there is a difference of opinion how. I believe we will continue to concentrate on the commonality of wanting the best for kids, instead of the differences that we have.”

And there were in fact many opinionated supporters present on Thursday, who spoke at length during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Parents, students and others shared statistics, personal experiences and alleged medical research to support one side of the issue.

Many in attendance were in favor of the board’s ruling.

One of many arguments against wearing masks heard Thursday was the alleged unsafe buildup of carbon dioxide that could be inhaled while having a mask on.

A student speaks out

But one very articulate TASD sophomore had perhaps the rebuttal of the evening, relaying information he learned in a district classroom.

Stephen Behun shared his story regarding his medical condition. Behun told the crowd about his lifesaving surgery at birth and that he is missing part of his heart.

“Honestly, I don’t see the issue with it. It’s a tiny piece of cloth, you put it on your face and you’re good to go,” Behun said.

“I have a difficult time breathing, especially when I get into physical exercise, because my oxygen levels are already low. Wearing a mask, though, has presented me with no issues. You know with these CO2 things - that it builds up CO2? I learned in science class here actually, fun fact. … most molecules - all actually ­- are bigger than CO2 particles. So if it blocks CO2, it’s probably going to block those as well.”

Board members vote

Voting in favor of keeping the district health and safety plan, as is, were Trina Schellhammer, Thomas Bartasavage, Nick Boyle, Thomas Rottet and board President Larry Wittig.

Board members in favor of complying with the state mandate were Bryan Miller and Melanie Dillman. Not present were Daniel Schoener, treasurer, and Mark Rother.

“I firmly believe that the vast majority of parents want to have decision with them with regard to masking,” Wittig said. “That’s all this is about. Having them make the choice for their child - or the child for that matter.

“If it’s a health hazard to wear the mask, which in some cases it could be, they should have that option. I don’t think that us or any other government agency should take that right away from parents.”

Miller, who voted to comply with the mask mandate, preferred not to comment after the meeting. District solicitor Jeffrey Bowe also declined to comment.

“The board, individually, may have opened themselves up to some liability,” Wittig added. “I don’t know what that looks like, because they would have to make the case that the infection rate spike as a result of that, and I think that’s a pretty tall order, considering the invectiveness of masks in general.

“But I’m not a lawyer, when you get into legal things and into court, the gloves come off and everything happens. I certainly don’t want to put me, or my family at risk - or anybody else for that matter. But I think the majority of the board felt strongly enough to give the parents the right to do that.”

Dr. Greg Koons, Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 Executive Director, has met with Schuylkill County superintendents regularly to help navigate through the pandemic since its beginning. He believes Pennsylvania schools should comply with masking.

Koons said “a mandate is a mandate” in an interview Thursday.

“Yes, I am fully in support of it because it’s a mandate,” Koons said. “It’s coming from the department of health for the health and safety of our students, so we must support it and enforce it. That’s really my stance on it, coming from my position.”

According to the TASD website, 18 districtwide COVID-19 cases were reported in August. The next regularly scheduled school board committee meeting is set for Sept. 14.