Andover Schools To Lift Mask Mandate 5 P.M. Friday

ANDOVER, MA — The Andover Public Schools mask mandate will end at 5 p.m. Friday after the School Committee approved a revised mask policy Thursday at their meeting.

The revised policy gives Superintendent Magda Parvey authority over mask mandates, with consultation with health officials and notification of the committee.

Parvey recommended that the mandate end at 5 p.m. Friday, two days prior to her initial recommendation, to align with town policy.

Gov. Charlie Baker announced Feb. 9 that the state requirement would end Feb. 28, leaving mask policies up to districts. Andover took two meetings to decide, leaving the policy in place for the first week after February break.

A clause in the revised policy which allows teachers to ask their students to wear masks and "encourages the school community to voluntarily honor such requests" drew some concern, with public commenters asking that such requests be made through parents. Committee members said that was an operational matter that would be left to the superintendent.

Multiple commenters also ask that high-quality masks, like KN95s, be provided to high-risk people.

The revised policy was approved unanimously.

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