Expect a lot more smiling faces in Mt. Olive schools next month when wearing face masks indoors district-wide will become optional.
Mt. Olive Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Zywicki made the announcement last week after New Jersey’s governor lifted the face mask mandate for all schools and childcare centers in the state. Starting March 7, all students, faculty, staff and visitors within the Mt. Olive School District will get to decide if they want to wear a face mask indoors.
After much debate at Mt. Olive Twp. Board of Education meetings, and even Mt. Olive Twp. Council meetings, with outspoken residents taking sides to support or abolish the wearing of facial coverings in schools- the community can breathe, smile and move forward with strides toward a more normal time, post the COVID 19 era, that changed everyone’s lives two years ago.
“I applaud the governor’s move yesterday,” says Zywicki, on Tuesday, Feb. 8, one day after N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy’s announcement to lift the face mask mandate in schools. “I’m happy. It’s a really good move toward progress.”
On Feb. 7, Murphy made his announcement during his daily briefing. In a press release from the governor’s office, Murphy notes a “significant decline of statewide COVID-19 metrics,” as his reasoning for lifting his mask mandate.
“I must thank the overwhelming majority of students, parents, administrators, educators, and support staffers who have worn their masks without problem or protest since our schools reopened for in-person learning,” Murphy states. “Thankfully, we have reached a point where we feel confident that we can take another step toward normalcy for our kids. Given the continued drop in new cases and hospitalizations, projections indicating a continued decline over the coming weeks, and the continued growth of vaccinations for our school-aged population, we believe that we can responsibly end the universal mask mandate."
Wearing a mask in school has been debated by many parents, students and educators who have cited numerous issues: It affects volume and annunciation of a person’s voice, which in turn can affect students’ learning and progress in the classroom; it hides a smile and emotion; impacts the breathing; irritates complexion; increases anti-socialism; disrupts communication; causes speech delays and impediments; increases germs with masks not washed regularly or dropped on the floor then put back on the face; and affects the emotional behavior with increases in depression, anxiety and even suicide. Other debaters have supported the wearing of facial coverings in schools as a means to stop the spread of the virus and germs to oneself and others. In dealing with these concerns, Zywicki says he did write a letter in May 2021 to Murphy requesting that facial coverings in schools be optional.
“We did have those conversations,” with officials, says Zywicki in attempts to squash the mask mandate. But then the Delta variant hit in August, causing the mask mandate to be reinstated.
Murphy’s announcement allows school districts to decide whether to still enforce the masks indoors, to lift the mask mandate in their schools or leave it optional. “The intent of lifting the mask mandate is to allow mask optional,” says Zywicki, “like the rest of society. The mandate’s gone. I’m not a health professional.”
On Tuesday, Feb. 8. Zywicki decided to leave it mask optional in MOSD. He does not need a vote by the BOE.
“We go by the superintendent who makes the decision based on the guidance by the state,” explains Zywicki, just like when he decided that Mt. Olive schools go virtual. He made the recommendation and then informed the BOE of his decision, he says, adding that mask optional is consistent with the BOE’s resolution passed in June to lift the masks, prior to Delta and then Omicron reversing that change. The wearing of facial coverings will still be mandated on school busses, he says, as announced by the state.
As far as any changes with social distancing, quarantining and contact tracing, Zywicki says he is awaiting further guidance from the state.
“The governor lifted it, that’s it,” says Zywicki. “We are waiting on that guidance. “We do not have any details on how this impacts contact tracing, how it impacts quarantining,” Zywicki says at the Feb. 14 BOE meeting. “We’re going to keep doing that until we get health guidance; as soon as we get that from the department of health.
“Quarantining will be for unvaccinated,” says Zywicki. “If you are boosted and vaccinated there will be no quarantining,” or if you have had COVID in the past 90 days.
Resident Martin Welzmuller of Budd Lake says he opposes the disparity of treatment between vaccinated and nonvaccinated.
“The fact that we isolate the kids that aren’t vaccinated, to me isn’t right,” says Welzmuller. “We need to treat the kids equally. It doesn’t matter if you are vaccinated or not vaccinated, you can still contract COVID. We have to let the kids be kids. We have to stop isolating them based on their status.”
As stated in the governor’s press release, “Prior to the mandate being lifted, the Department of Health will release guidance to help school districts update their policies to align with the risks and unique needs of their setting and student population to ensure safe learning environments.”
Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, said in the release, “The Department will develop guidance that incorporates all aspects of safety in schools while children are unmasked. We know that every parent wants to do what’s best for their children.”
One concern expressed at the last BOE meeting questions whether bullying will become an increased issue between students who differ in their decision of wearing a face mask.
“I’m excited for the kids to be able to go mask optional,” says Brianne Jarvis of Flanders, but she is worried about them being quarantined or missing school; and has “a little bit of fear” if one of her daughters chooses to wear a mask, “will you be addressing bullying?”
Zywicki says MOSD “will deal with that like any disciplinary action. If anything does happen, we will deal with it swiftly.”
As stated in the governor’s press release, “Schools will not be permitted to bar the use of facial coverings by individuals and will be expected to take disciplinary action in instances of bullying should they arise due to an individual’s choice to continue wearing a mask.”
School Mask Mandate Debate Spreads To Council Meeting
Seeing that the MOSD was still following Murphy’s mandate prior to this recent announcement, the Mt. Olive Twp. Council debated on whether to interfere with the school district and try to abolish the masks in Mt. Olive schools.
Council Vice President Alex Roman had approached the council at the virtual Jan. 25 council meeting requesting that it considers a resolution to get rid of masks. “It’s something we should have a vote in and petition our state governor,” Roman says at that meeting. “This is a bridge too far and an overreach of power.”
When Roman asked for the council’s opinion on this request, Council President Joe Nicastro says “In my opinion, the council has no say in what policies are run in the schools. Zywicki already contacted Murphy to request this. The governor already knows. I’m not a health expert. I don’t agree with a lot of things but when it comes to health, I’m not an expert on this. I’m sure this will change pretty soon.”
Replies Roman, “I disagree that we shouldn’t have a voice. It’s incumbent for us to speak out.”
Since the mask mandate is a state executive order, Sue Sharpe, council attorney, says the council would be allowed to express its opinion but not be allowed to pass a resolution to go against the governor’s executive order.
The council then took a vote on Roman’s request, and Councilmember Greg Stewart sided with Roman while the others voted against the request.
“I like to thank my fellow council members for at least hearing me out,” says Roman.
Mt. Olive Twp. Mayor Rob Greenbaum had then suggested that Roman and Stewart send their own letter to Murphy stating that they are against the face masks in schools. Greenbaum says he has followed the guidelines by the CDC which has encouraged face masks; “without it will likely have more outbreaks. Face masks can reduce spread of COVID 19 and outbreaks in schools. You can cite as many studies as you want; they go both ways.” Everyone can send a letter if they want to. Fifty percent want the mask; 50 percent don’t want the mask.”
Some community members also chimed in.
While he admits not being an advocate of Gov. Murphy, Welzmuller says “I would’ve expected that council members know what’s best for the children and support this. Children don’t wear their masks appropriately. I’d like the council to revisit this.”
As a supporter of pro-choice for vaccine and mask mandates, Richard Mazzola of Flanders says “masks affect oxygen level,” which is a concern for one of his sons who has asthma. “Kids need to see facial expressions at young ages.” Masks have increased anxiety, fear and depression. “These are our children. This is our community. Nobody loves our children but ourselves. Council needs to stand up for their individual rights.”
Mazzola went on to talk about the vaccine, saying mandating vaccines goes against religious beliefs. That vaccines can cause heart attacks.
“I know more people who are vaccinated in the hospital,” says Mazzola. “I ask everyone that we work as a team. I think we need a voice.”
Lindsey of Flanders, who works as a public-school teacher, says “Please urge council to reconsider in standing behind the board of ed. The brain does not stop developing until age 25. We have taken two years of the development of their brains. I cannot imagine thinking two years and pick which two years I’d be willing to lose. This has far more affects than COVID.”
The debate finally came to a halt after one parent criticizes the mayor for his stance to support the governor’s face mask mandate.
“Why is there even an argument by you Mr. Mayor,” asks Catalina of Flanders. “This council, they’re entitled to take their position,” says Greenbaum. “We need to follow the CDC guidelines. There are a strong group of parents that are fighting this. If it comes tomorrow,” that the governor says it is no longer a mandate to wear masks in school, “I will support” that decision. “It’s a state mandate. The fact that you haven’t worn a mask at all is very selfish,” he tells this resident. He then went on to ask her if she is vaccinated and the women responds that it is none of his business. She then asks him an inappropriate sex related question, and he off the cuff, responds yes, but later in the meeting apologizes for his hasty response. Nicastro interjects and tells this woman she is over her time limit and ends the argument as the woman hangs up.
Another resident, Shelly Morningstar, then comments and says “no one on this council are health experts.” She reminds them that “100’s of people in this township have died,” since COVID19 began. She then asks the council if it would be willing to give back the money specifically allocated to the township for COVID related expenses used to purchase masks and COVID awareness/education.
Irene Sergonis of Budd Lake did remind everyone that the MOSD does offer a medical exemption to anyone opposed or not able to wear a mask.
Rachel Ellis who works as an ICU nurse shares that she has seen an increase in younger children struggling with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts.
“It’s happening right in our township,” says Ellis, with incidences of bullying, daily fights in the schools. “First we will be first and then we will be best; you are not being first. The fact that you are not supporting the Board of Education on this? You can do better.”
Responds Nicastro: “This doesn’t mean we don’t support the school system or what they believe. School board is a different meeting.” Despite the difference of opinions, Nicastro concludes: Everyone’s entitled to their opinions and concerns.” Roman concludes at the end of the meeting: “Standing up for what I believe in has great value. This is medical theater. We need to support our board of ed.” Greenbaum wound up sending his own letter to Murphy, on Jan. 26, that he shared on social media, citing the “lively discussion” at the council meeting and “the large segment of our community which believes that masking our children is not effective and actually causes unintended mental and physical harm and is an impediment to learning.” While he admits to his opposition of sending a resolution, he asked the governor to consider “the foregoing as you evaluate your current policy.”
At the last council meeting held Feb. 8, the day after Murphy’s announcement lifting the face masks in schools, Roman questions why the schools have to wait a month to lift the masks off their faces.
“This governing body had, two weeks ago, to make itself heard,” says Roman. It is not “understandable to me why we have to wait another month to unmask our kids.”
