Woburn School Committee To Discuss Mask Mandate Thursday

WOBURN, MA — Woburn school officials will discuss the district's mask mandate at the School Committee meeting Thursday evening.

The meeting is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Conference Room, Joyce Middle School, 55 Locust Street.

"Review of the school mask policy" is listed under the Reports/Presentations of Superintendent and Staff section on the agenda for Thursday's meeting.

Gov. Charlie Baker announced Feb. 9 that the state requirement will end Feb. 28, leaving mask policies up to districts.

Woburn School Committee members voted in August to put in place a mask mandate to begin the year. The committee intended to revisit the policy by the end of October, but the state mandate was put in place, pre-empting them, before that point.

"This policy will remain in place until amended or rescinded by the School Committee," according to the policy manual.

The committee did discuss the mandate at their Oct. 25 meeting, but they noted they had no ability to lift it at that time unless a school reached 80 percent vaccination, which none of the district's schools had.

As of Thursday, 59 percent of residents 5 to 19 were fully vaccinated, according to state data. Thirteen percent were boosted.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or [email protected].