We are West Milford parents, students, and community members who express our disappointment and alarm at Dr. Anemone’s September 5 announcement of the suspension of the state mask mandate to start the school year on the basis of “excessive heat". Temperatures are predicted to be in the 70s for the next week, with a high of 80. These conditions do not meet the standard of excessive heat by any standard, state or federal.

For this reason and others, it is clear that Dr. Anemone’s decision is unlawful and directly violates the Governor’s Executive Order and guidance issued by the state Department of Health.

We urge the Superintendent and the members of the Board of Education to immediately change course and bring the district back into compliance with state law.

Until last night’s decision, we had confidence in the leadership and judgment of the Superintendent and the Board of Education. Due to this faith, many of us have avoided attending public Board of Education meetings in the middle of the Covid 19 pandemic, trusting that decisions would always follow the science and the law. That will not be the case anymore. Starting with the September 21st meeting we will attend en masse in order to ensure that the voices of reason and safety are heard in this community.