SAUGUS — After Wednesday’s policy subcommittee meeting, it appears that students will be wearing masks when they return to the classroom.
The subcommittee ruled in favor of recommending to the School Committee that masks be worn in schools this upcoming year. The recommendation was unanimously supported by the subcommittee.
Subcommittee member Dennis Gould mentioned that committee members have had conversations with local health officials. Gould added that Superintendent of Schools Erin McMahon has been speaking with other superintendents across the commonwealth as well as state officials.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends masks for children enrolled from kindergarten to sixth grade, the recommendation from the subcommittee applies for students all the way up to 12th grade.
Director of Public Health John Fralick said that the recommendations fall in line with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Fralick said that the town is currently seeing case numbers rise due to the highly-contagious Delta variant.
“Right now, again, we’re just urging people to get vaccinated when it becomes available for their age groups,” said Fralick. “It’s readily available now and we’re just advising people to take the CDC’s recommendations into account when they are making their personal decisions.”
This now leaves the decision in the hands of the School Committee. Vice Chair Ryan Fisher said he is keeping an open mind to the recommendation, but since he was not present at the meeting he will want to hear the full report.
With the school year rapidly approaching, the School Committee will have to make a decision rather quickly. The first day of school is scheduled for Sept. 8 for most students.