Parents of students in the Harlan Community School District are suing the district over its mask mandate. KETV reports the parents say they’re frustrated with Harlan Community Schools as they say other districts in the area are ending their mandates. The action comes as the CDC said fully vaccinated people do not need to wear a mask in most indoor places. Interim Superintendent Lynn Johnson said they want to make room for families who aren’t comfortable with the mask mandate. But she added said they’re also following recommendations from health experts since all students aren’t fully vaccinated.

On Wednesday, the district started separating students who choose not to wear a mask from students who do. Thursday was the second day the district placed students who don’t wear a mask in other areas like the auditorium and library. But Johnson said it is not a punishment. She told KETV “(We’re) trying to find the means to continue to keep educating those students but yet separating from the classrooms where masks are required.” Parents said they heard of students being denied meals if they didn’t wear masks. Johnson said there was a situation Thursday morning where a food service personnel told a student they had to wear a mask to get breakfast. Johnson said that situation has been taken care of, and won’t happen again. She said also, the mask guidelines are put together by the school board.

School board president Amy Rueschenberg said in a statement to the tv station:

“The Harlan Community School District Board of Directors is committed to providing the students, staff, and visitors to the school a safe environment when in the district’s buildings and attending school functions. The district has successfully navigated the pandemic with minimal disruption. Harlan Community School District has been successful in keeping students and staff safe and in face-to-face learning all year by following the CDC and state and local public health guidelines and recommendations. The district is trying to adjust and accommodate quickly to those students who are recently needing mask accommodations for specific reasons. The Harlan Community School Board is willing to consider modifying current practices if the conditions or data indicate that is what is best for students and staff.”