Melrose Schools Wants To Keep Masks Until Spring

MELROSE, MA — Local school and health leadership want to keep a mask requirement through March 20, three weeks after the state's mandate ends.

A memo from Superintendent Julie Kukenberger and Health Director Anthony Chui to the School Committee recommends making masks optional for all students and staff regardless of vaccination status beginning March 21.

The School Committee is expected to vote Tuesday.

"We recommend March 21 to allow for three whole weeks of pooled testing after the February break," the memo reads. "Throughout the pandemic, we have seen positive COVID-19 case counts rise in the weeks two and three following any type of break from school, including long weekends."

Gov. Charlie Baker this week announced the state's school mask mandate will end Feb. 28. After that, districts will be free to enforce masking rules as they see fit.

Melrose already rescinded its indoor mask mandate, though one still exists for municipal buildings. Once the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's order expires, the only thing requiring masks will be district policy. That policy must be rescinded for masks to become optional.

Kukenberger and Chui are also recommending pooled testing continue though May 13, two weeks after April vacation. The state's home antigen testing strategy is set to run through April 22, at which point it will be evaluated.

The recommendation would also extend the mask mandate for students and coaching staff in sports, whether home or away, and to visiting teams.

Melrose Public Schools has reported 1,123 COVID-19 cases this school year, but only 31 since the start of February. COVID cases in general, while still high, have been trending down across the state in recent weeks, suggesting the omicron peak is behind us.

Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi and Instagram at Melrose Happening. Subscribe to Melrose Patch for free local news and alerts and like us on Facebook