Health and safety plans are a shell of what they were when schools returned to in-person classes a few years ago amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but they’re still generating passionate discussion in local district board meetings.

Lehighton Area School District passed its updated 2022-23 health and safety plan earlier this week, but not before removing the names of the two major local health care providers, Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke’s University Health Network, from a section outlining where students can receive vaccinations.

“I think the whole section should be removed due to the fact that it’s not a required vaccination and we shouldn’t be pushing it,” Director Jeremy Glaush said.

Board President Joy Beers said the wording came from a template provided by the state.

“It makes sense to me to remove the name,” Beers said. “We shouldn’t be endorsing specific providers.”

Janice Collins, a district taxpayer who previously voiced concerns when the district hosted vaccination clinics, supported removing the names of Lehigh Valley and St. Luke’s from that section of the document.

“You’re giving your stamp of approval for certain facilities and you’re sticking your neck out in my book,” Collins said. “If you steer them and that facility has a lawsuit down the road because they got a bad batch or whatever, you could be liable.”

Instead of naming Lehigh Valley and St. Luke’s, Lehighton changed the section to tell families to consult their “local provider” if they are interested in a vaccination for their child.

Brian Shaner, a Lehighton board member and LVHN employee, told his fellow directors he didn’t see a problem with naming the two providers.

“These are the two biggest health care providers in our area and the two groups we partner with,” Shaner said. “I understand those two providers are pushing vaccinations, but people have the ability to make decisions for themselves. We are not pushing vaccinations as a board. We’re just providing information so they can make an educated decision on their own.”

Palmerton Area School District also did its six-month health and safety plan update earlier this month as required by the state.

“It’s not the lengthy plan it once was,” Superintendent Dr. Jodi Frankelli said. “It continues to be trimmed, and this year is no exception.”

Masks will be optional again in the 2022-23 with the exception of symptomatic students in the nurse’s office or trainer’s room.

Employees and parents will still be required to report positive cases to the district, which has to supply the state with a weekly form documenting those numbers.

“Almost everything has loosened up,” Frankelli said. “There used to be a specific amount of feet in the plan when it came to social distancing. Now we are just acknowledging that it varies by school, classroom and location. There is nothing specific to it.”

Any questions on Palmerton’s plan can still be directed to pasd@palmerton.org.