From the Superintendent: Masks Still Required in All Buildings

In response to today's PA Commonwealth Court ruling concerning masks in schools and Gov. Wolf's subsequent appeal of this ruling, I am writing to provide clarity on masking in our district. At this time, all Radnor students and staff are still required to wear masks in our schools and buildings.

Today, Gov. Wolf and the PA Department of Health filed an appeal to a Commonwealth Court ruling that had declared the state's school mask mandate unenforceable and void. In the Commonwealth Court ruling, which also occurred today, the judge determined that the PA Secretary of Health didn’t follow the proper regulatory process to require the masking regulation. According to the PA Secretary of Education, filing of the appeal will immediately stay the Commonwealth Court’s decision, meaning the masking mandate is still in effect for all PA public and private schools.

Before the school year began, our Radnor Health and Safety Plan required masking of all students and staff beginning August 16, 2021. After we adopted our plan, the PA Department of Health instituted the mask mandate. If the mask mandate is removed through the courts or by the Governor, then each school district in the Commonwealth would be governed by their approved Health and Safety Plan. Currently, our Radnor Health and Safety plan requires masking of all students.  

Earlier this week, the Governor announced that he anticipated the state mask mandate would end on January 17, 2022. If the mandate ends in January, then masking requirements would be up to each individual school district.  

We will continue to discuss masking and updates to our Health and Safety Plan at our Board meetings, and we will keep our community informed.  

Thank you for your patience as we monitor and respond to these developments and continue to focus on providing safe and in-person learning for our students and community.

Sincerely,

Ken

Kenneth E. Batchelor
Superintendent of Schools