The Montoursville Area School District currently uses the Levin Legal Group from Huntingdon Valley, PA as their Solicitor. This firm charges $190 per hour and bills for 5 hours of travel time for attending in-person meetings.  As a reference, the previous local Solicitor for the district (Murphy, Butterfield & Holland) charged $150 per hour. The Levin Legal Group is just outside of Philadelphia, which is the most liberal city in PA.  Montoursville and Lycoming county in general are largely conservative.  As the school district is faced with challenging and divisive issues relating to indefinite mask mandates forced by the state, and expected vaccine mandates on our children in the near future, its at the best interest of the Montoursville tax payers to hire a local Solicitor that doesn't charge Philly rates and won't just fall in line with every freedom stealing and tyrannical measures that are imposed by the Governor's office.  The Montoursville area school district is currently enforcing face coverings on healthy students in accordance with the recent PA Secretary of Health masking order for K-12 schools that cites a 1955 Disease and Prevention Law (mostly intended for venereal diseases).  According to Superintendent Christina Bason in an email response, she stated the Solicitor said the, "Order was legal, lawful and binding." Other PA attorneys and even State Representatives believe the order is illegal and unconstitutional and parents should be able to make decisions when it comes to their child's health and well being. The Solicitor for Coudersport gave the district options regarding the masking order, not just a strict interpretation.  Additionally, as of September 13, 2021, local school districts surrounding us sided with parents in allowing parental consent exceptions to the masking order.  Our Board and the Superintendent has not listened to and/or responded to parents' multiple emails. They have neglected to even add the subject to their agenda for the Tuesday, September 14, 2021 "virtual" school board meeting. Many parents are concerned about the mental and physical health of their children.  Many students have experienced symptoms in the past such as anxiety, headaches, lightheadedness, sleepiness, strep throat, respiratory issues and more while wearing masks. Montoursville needs a Solicitor that is concerned about the community and people he or she is representing and guiding.  Please consider signing the petition to make a statement to the Montoursville Area School Board to consider a new, local Solicitor that is willing to suggest and consider options when the situation calls for it!  In addition, a local Solicitor will save on the tax payer's money!