Andover Officials To Discuss School Mask Mandate Feb. 17

ANDOVER, MA — Andover Public Schools has a district mask mandate that predates the state requirement and will need to be addressed separately, the district said in a letter to the community Wednesday soon after Gov. Charlie Baker announced plans to lift the statewide rule.

The state plans to lift its mandate Feb. 28, leaving masking policy up to districts again.

Andover approved its own mandate in August, before the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education pre-empted local school districts on the issue.

"Based on today’s information from state officials, [Superintendent Magda] Parvey will be joined by APS’s director of nursing and town public health officials at the next School Committee meeting on Thursday, February 17, 2022, to present recent COVID-19 data and to provide a recommendation regarding masks in schools to the Committee," the district said. "It is anticipated that the Committee will deliberate on the district’s mask policy at the same meeting."

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 17 in the School Committee Room, 30 Whittier Court. The district's existing mask policy, which applies to all students and staff regardless of vaccination status, is available here.

The state will also lift mask mandates on early childhood programs, but students must remain masked up on school buses since that is a federal guideline. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association is expected to release new guidance on indoor sports masking soon.

Over 80 percent of Andover residents aged 5 to 19 are fully vaccinated, according to state data. One-quarter of them have received booster shots.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.