By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — The School Committee voted 4-1 Monday night to support the school district’s plan on mask wearing when school reopens on Wednesday, September 8. This plan follows the recommended guidelines set forth this summer by both the state Department of Public Health (DPH) and the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Voting in support of the plan were School Committee Chairman Scott Buckley and committee members Janene Imbriano, Dyana Boutwell and Rich McGowan. Committee member Chris Pappavaselio voted not to support following the DESE/DPH guidance, favoring instead the CDC guidelines.

“All committee members and I listened to the well-articulated arguments on both sides and understand that like many other communities there may be additional requirements forthcoming from the Board of Health or from the state as new guidance and updates are being disseminated nearly every day,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Daly told the Transcript after the meeting.

Daly added, “With our late start date of September 8 we have the advantage of seeing all of this guidance come into place and the opportunity to review the very latest local data in order to ensure that our students have the safest learning environment possible when they begin school.”

In a letter the superintendent sent to parents and guardians on Tuesday recapping the discussion, he stated: “At our meeting we heard from parents, guardians, caregivers and students who respectfully shared their views with a large focus on the discussion of students and staff wearing masks. In addition to what was shared in the public meetings I have received several emails from those on both sides of this issue and the Committee felt it was very important to allow everyone who hoped to share their thoughts and feelings last evening have an opportunity to do so.”

Daly also outlined which recommendations the district will follow “at this time” from DESE/DPH, leaving open the opportunity to adapt its plan based on how the pandemic and any COVID variants continues to evolve.

  • This fall, DESE and DPH strongly recommend that all students in kindergarten through grade 6 wear masks when indoors, except students who cannot do so due to medical conditions or behavioral needs. Masks are not necessary outdoors and may be removed while eating indoors.
  • DESE and DPH also strongly recommend that unvaccinated staff in all grades, unvaccinated students in grades 7 and above, and unvaccinated visitors wear masks indoors, in alignment with the statewide advisory on masking.
  • DESE and DPH recommend that schools allow vaccinated students to remain unmasked.
  • Any individual at higher risk for severe disease from COVID or with a household member who is at high risk is encouraged to mask regardless of vaccination status consistent with the updated DPH Advisory on Face Coverings and Masks.
  • Any child or family who prefers to mask at school should be supported in this choice.
  • By federal public health order, all students and staff are required to wear masks on school buses at this time.
  • All staff and students must wear masks while in school health offices. Additional guidance for school health professionals is forthcoming from DPH.

The complete DPH/DESE guidance is available at: https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/

CDC recommends masks for all indoors

“As you are likely aware, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently recommended that everyone in Massachusetts, including those who are fully vaccinated, should wear a mask while indoors. At the same time, Governor Baker reiterated (Monday) that he does not have any plans for a mask mandate and that we need to continue to focus on getting as many people vaccinated as possible,” Daly stated.

The superintendent added, “With so many conflicting messages and information it is natural that members of our school community have very strong feelings on either side of this issue and it was very helpful for our committee to hear those viewpoints.”

Daly also emphasized that Massachusetts officials have left decisions related to masking up to the local boards and committees, and given this option, there have been many local Boards of Health and/or School Committees in other districts opting to align their reopening plans with the recommendations of the CDC, which exceed those recommended by DESE and DPH.

To view the CDC recommendations go to: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-guidance.html

“As we are learning more about the Delta variant and how this impacts children and the unvaccinated there is certainly the possibility that we may see additional mandates and requirements from either the state (Governor/DPH/DESE) or local Board of Health as we approach the first days of school year.” North Reading Public School students return to school the Wednesday after Labor Day which is Sept. 8 this year.

“It is important that we recognize that, no matter our viewpoints, everyone is working to make the best decisions in the interest of our students. Our health officials will review local data and trends and make an informed decision for our community and whatever is determined the school department will work to ensure that this is well communicated and that all students are supported in any adjustments to their learning environment,” Daly stated.

He continued, “We respect the challenging decisions that our officials have needed to make throughout this pandemic and we will continue to support any decisions that are meant to ensure that our students are safe, in person five days a week, and engaging in the learning and activities that are as close as possible to what they would experience in a typical school year.”

The link to the three-hour School Committee meeting is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxUmaAbpZzI and for the link to the slides used during the district’s presentation go to https://bit.ly/3mhrwuR

Daly added that the district will also share the latest guidance, updates and “Frequently Asked Questions” documents as soon as they are provided from the DESE and DPH to provide additional opportunities to answer questions the public may have.

Daly also invites the community to share any additional questions they may have with him. “I will be sure to answer them in upcoming communications and FAQs from our district,” he stated.