Canton Schools To Require Masks, Interim Superintendent Announces

CANTON - Derek Folan, the interim superintendent of the Canton Public Schools, announced that masks will be required for stundents, staff and vistors to start the school year.

"It was voted on in our last School Committee meeting on August 12 to approve the mask requirement," Folan said, noting the vote as 4-1 in favor. "They decided to reinstate the mask policy, at least for the start of the school year."

Students, staff, faculty and visitors will be required to wear a face mask while inside school buildings, district health offices and on school transportation. Face coverings must also be worn outside when social distancing cannot be observed.

Face coverings will not be required when appropriate social distancing is enforced, including: during mask breaks, while eating or drinking, during physical education classes and while outside.

Folan said he based his recommendation on several sources of information, the Canton Board of Health, a joint statement by the state's Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"I also talked with our school doctor and other officials in town to get their opinions," he said. "My recommendation based on the effectiveness of masks in stopping the spread of COVID-19. This will provide greater clarity and consistency for students at all levels."

Folan, the Assitant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, became the interim superintendant when Superintendent Jennifer Fischer- Mueller resigned to take a position in the private sector. He said he is applying for the permanent role, and the search process will begin shortly.

The rise of the delta variant in children also was a factor in the decision to implement the mask policy.

"I don't want us to have a false start to the school year," Folan said. "I want us to have a home run."

The policy will be revisited by the School Committee at its October 7 meeting and later "on a regular basis," he continued, as more information on the coronavirus becomes available.

"No one wants to be wearing masks for months on end," Folan continued. "But our priority and the state's priority is to provide educational continuity five days a week. If masks are the vehicle to do that, then I support that.

Folan said he realized the rift in the school community that the requirement of mask use has caused, both locally and across the state.

"I approve of all of the differing opinions on that," he said. "I get it. We are contunually adapting and monitoring the data."

Once the vaccine is able to be administered to children age 12 and under, the mask policy will again come under review.

Air purifiers will be available in every classroom, as they were during the last school year. Tents have been purchased so that some class activities can be held outside whenever possible.

When the school year starts, COVID-19 testing will be available at the schools via three different testing options including: symptomatic testing, safety COVID-19 checks with saliva, and nasal swab testing.

A new state "Test and Stay" policy will allow students exposed to the coronavirus in schools to receive a rapid test. If they are asymptomatic and test negative, these students will be allowed to return to class rather than quarantine. The tests will be administered over several days to confirm that exposed students are not infected or have symptoms.

Those exempt from wearing face coverings include individuals with a medical, behavioral or other challenge making it unsafe to wear a face mask or covering. A written note from a physician is required for a requested exemption and the exemption must be approved by the building principal in consultation with the school nurse or local Board of Health.