Northern Lehigh residents continue to speak out against the mask-wearing mandate.

Resident Natalie Snyder said last week, “If recommendations are that masks must be worn for people who are unvaccinated, that you guys consider not doing that to people because it would be considered discrimination against people,” Snyder said.

“Whatever guidance Gov. Wolf comes out with and his mandating of vaccines and all this stuff, as we know there are some vaccines that are being mandated, but they’re not truly mandated, you can get religious exemptions for these things; I just want to make it clear that people should have that right to be able to have a religious or philosophical exemption from wearing a mask or receiving a vaccine.”

Chad Christman called for the board to take control of the Health and Safety Plan, instead of Superintendent Matthew J. Link overseeing it. “Again, it’s nothing personal; even if it was myself, it’s just a tremendous burden to put on one person,” Christman said.

“I think it’s almost reckless to have one person in control of that; it would be nice to have a nice checks and balance system to make sure we have multiple people with multiple different views to make sure we’re dotting our i’s and crossing our t’s.”

Director Robert Kern responded to parents about Link overseeing the district’s health and safety plan.

“We are in constant communication with Mr. Link, Mr. Link is in constant communication with us regarding the health and safety plan,” Director Robert Kern said. “It is by no means a one-man show; we are in constant contact, we know exactly what’s going on with the mandates that have been put on this board by our governor, whether you believe in that or not, it’s the truth.”

Kern said the district could face legal action if it doesn’t follow the mandate.

“I encourage all of you to run for the board, sit here, don’t follow the law, and something happens, and the public then sues you personally,” he said. “You’re going to give up your house because you’re not going to listen to a mandate that was given by the governor.”

Kern said nobody likes the mask mandate.

“I’d be the first one to tell you I hate this thing; I can’t stand it,” he said. “But, it’s what we’re told to do by law in Pennsylvania, and we’re going to well follow it.”

Christman said he expects Gov. Tom Wolf to mandate vaccinations for students in public schools. He said the district should be prepared for more students to transfer to charter schools.

“I just really hope that we’re being careful here with these mandates and these vaccinations following these orders and in a couple years from now, if there’s ever any medical issues that come from these vaccinations that become mandatory starting here locally, who’s responsible for those future lawsuits, that could be some pretty significant pending problems,” he said.

Director/board secretary Gale Husack read an email submitted by resident Justin Jachowicz of Slatington.

“It is still absurd that no exemptions will be made to not wear a mask during the meeting,” Jachowicz said. “I will be contacting the Pennsylvania State Police and Slatington Police Department to assure that no action can be taken from the school as I am not violating a law of any kind and am simply trying to express my grievances to the school board as part of my First Amendment rights.”

Jachowicz said the board of directors should be voting on updates to the Health and Safety plan. “As local districts like Jim Thorpe look to remove quarantine for students, our board is steadfast in removing themselves from the decision-making process,” Jachowicz said.

“Northern Lehigh School District is in a clear violation of Pennsylvania School Code by illegally quarantining healthy children. This community needs leaders and not followers as we have seen through the COVID-19 pandemic.”

District to follow face covering order