Holmdel Schools BOE Member To Supt: Face Masks Must Be Optional

HOLMDEL, NJ - Amid rising temperatures and relaxed guidance from the state, school districts across Monmouth County and the rest of the state are issuing updated guidance on masking rules in school buildings.

Districts such as Hazlet, Middletown, Colts Neck and Manalapan-Englishtown have all eased restrictions in recent days following Gov. Phil Murphy's latest remarks on wearing face masks in unfavorable conditions:

"School officials are empowered to relax masking among students and staff in their buildings given extreme weather conditions," Murphy said at a press conference this week, adding that the provision was one of the exceptions included in the executive order on masking in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, despite updated policies across the county, Holmdel has yet to make an official call on the matter.

Per a June 8 letter from the Holmdel school district's interim superintendent Dr. Lee Seitz, the district will be writing to Gov. Phil Murphy "to ask him to relieve Holmdel from the mask mandate in light of all the investments made in our District to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases."
The interim superintendent will also present the issue to the board of education and teacher's union at upcoming meetings to obtain feedback, the letter reads.

According to board of education member Terence Wall, the issue of masking is entirely left up to the superintendent.

In an open letter circulated online and shared with Patch, Wall urges parents to put pressure on the official, as well as demand that interim superintendent Dr. Lee Seitz follow in the footsteps of surrounding school districts.

“Masks must be optional for children, teachers, everyone. Masks must be optional because it is normal. It is life and the science shows that it is sound,” Wall said. “The maskless multi-generational transition that is already evident in every store, restaurant, house, mall and party has yet to permeate the schools. That needs to change today.”

Wall certainly isn't alone in his demands. Amid news of neighboring school districts dropping or altering their own face mask policies, parents called on school officials to ease the indoor masking rules.

“The mental health impacts have been significant and Executive Order 175 provides health as an exception,” Wall continued. “Ignoring mental health as a bona fide exception is discriminatory. It ignores the negative social and emotional damage of the receded pandemic.”

Parents and students can share opinions on the matter with the board of education by sending an email to boardmembers@holmdelschools.org.

You can read the full letter below:

Dear Holmdel Families:

It was a great day when Holmdel Schools opened to full day education last December. Strong board leadership ensured that Holmdel was one of the first public schools in Monmouth County to transition back to a normal, full-day school.

We now have another transition point. Mask optional learning. I’m inviting you to get involved. My position is that we do it today.

Masks must be optional for children, teachers, everyone. Masks must be optional because it is normal. It is life and the science shows that it is sound. The maskless multi-generational transition that is already evident in every store, restaurant, house, mall and party has yet to permeate the schools. That needs to change today.

Governor Murphy stated publicly this week that the decision is in the hands of the local district. It’s about time. Let’s unmask. Social and emotional learning speaks to unmasking. Physical and mental health are at legal parity in the State of New Jersey. Facial restrictions and breathing disruptions pushed on children who have no underlying co-morbidities is cruel.

The Superintendent of Schools is responsible for running the schools. The decision on unmasking is legally and professionally his own. My views have been made very clear in the role within which the law provides. That is, to ensure that the schools are run well.

Hats off to Hazlet, Middletown, Colts Neck, Jackson, Toms River, Brick and so many others who made the switch to mask optional in the last few days. I encourage all parents and students to share your opinion to boardmembers@holmdelschools.org

The mental health impacts have been significant and Executive Order 175 provides health as an exception. Ignoring mental health as a bona fide exception is discriminatory. It ignores the negative social and emotional damage of the receded pandemic.

Together, let’s end the unnecessary psychological health emergency for courageous boys and girls. Let them not suffer further by foreclosing on the simple joy of seeing each other’s faces.

Walk in their shoes. See their smiles, their smirks, their voices and their laughter with a breath of fresh air as they move forward with the visible and palpable joy of normal childhood as their parting memory of the school year. Share your view at boardmembers@holmdelschools.org today.

Thank you for your continued support of Holmdel Schools. You can reach me at twall@holmdelschools.org or call me at 908-461-3400.

Terence M Wall, MPA RMC QPA AHP
Holmdel Board of Education Member
Opinion is my own and not on behalf of HBOE