Dedham School Committee Votes To Adopt Mask Policy For Pre-K-12

The Dedham School Committee voted unanimously on Wednesday, August 25 to institute a mandatory mask policy for staff and students in grades pre-K through 12.

This goes above the mandatory mask policy issued the previous day by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), which now requires the wearing of masks for grades K-12, staff and vistors through at least October 1.

At the special virtual School Committee meeting, Superintendent Michael Welch announced the decision by DESE's board the previous day.

"The board voted to declare 'exigent circumstances' pursuant to the student leaarning time regualtions and authorized the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education to require masks for public school students age 5 and above and staff in all grades through at least October 1," Welch said as he read the statement from DESE. "This is an important additional requirement to keep students safe and in school at this time."

The mandate requires that all students age five and over and staff wear masks in school buildings. Masks will also be required on school buses. Outdoor use is no longer required, and there are no social distancing guidelines in the new policy.

School departments must submit to DESE that they are initiating the mask mandate and submit their procedures.

He also noted that the statement said that schools in the Catholic archdiocese are also bound by this requirement.

Welch proposed additional measures to the mandated policy for the school committee to consider. The first wass that the mask policy be extended to pre-K students. These were voted on as a single motion at the end of the meeting and approved 6-0, along with the affirmation of the DESE policy.

Parent Carlene Campbell Hegarty said that she and her husband "are in complete 100 percent support of these recommendations."

Her request was that the mask policy's wording reflect what is being required in municial buildings, which requires mask use for people age 2 and older unless there is a medical reason not to do so.

She also said that children as young as 3 years old can attend pre-K, which would complicate matters if only the DESE mandate was approved.

Parent Anna Kijas agreed.

"I think that it's not about being a bad guy or a good guy," she said. "It's about keeping our communities safe."

Welch recommended additional measures that go "above and beyond" the mandate, the main one being the requirement for mask use for students in pre-K at all times. He also requested that staff upload evidence of vaccination or submit to COVID-19 testing twice per week as a condition of employment. This needs to be discussed with the seven unions under contract.

Also sought was authorization from the committee for the schools to perform COVID-19 testing in the school system. He noted that 95 percent of incoming sixth graders and all students in lower grades are not eligible for the vaccine. Students not eat lunch less than three feet apart, noting the close proximity of the cafeteria seats. He proposed lunch outdoors, weather permitting.

School Commitee member Mayanne MacDonald Briggs said the committee's role has been challenging, as school committees across the state have had to vote on the mask policy with conflicting guidance from health and government entitites.

"It's very difficult to sit in theses seats and to be chastised and criticized for decisions that we don't even have the authority to go against," she said. "But it's not because anyone is afraid to speak up or afraid to question.

"I think there's a big misconception about the role of a school committee member," she continued, noting the committee makes policy decisions and hires the superintendent. "No one could have anticipated this a year and a half ago."

Welch explained that the DESE mask policy "is a floor," and that school districts are allowed to go above this policy's recommendations.

Member Chris Polito asked that, if DESE allows students not to be required to masks after October 1, when vaccination rates are assessed, if Dedham could keep the higher standard or if a subsequent vote would be necessary.

Welch said he was unclear about this, as "this is uncharted territory."

One "positive development," Welch added, was that the wearing of masks would allow for students to return to class and interact with each other without having to keep at a distance from one another.

"I know this is very confusing, and it's hard for everyone," chairperson Tracey White said. "We're trying to go forward to make sure that we keep all our famlies safe. "