Superintendent 'Optimistic' About Declining Cases As Mask Decision Approaches

MELROSE, MA — Local school and health officials are feeling "optimistic" about declining COVID-19 cases amid new federal masking guidelines, possibly pointing to an earlier removal of masks in the classroom than initially thought.

Melrose Public Schools' mask mandate is set to expire March 21 after the School Committee two weeks ago voted to support Health Director Anthony Chui and Superintendent Julie Kukenberger's recommendation to extend it beyond the state's date of Feb. 28.

The School Committee did allow for the decision to be revisited at its next meeting, March 8, but it's unclear if it would have changed since the crux of the district's argument was that cases typically spike a few weeks after school breaks, in this case winter break.

But in a letter sent to the school community Sunday, Kukenberger seemed to indicate updated federal masking guidance could play a role in the decision.

"Health Director Chui and I have reviewed the updated CDC guidance, and we are feeling optimistic about declining/low positive case counts in Melrose," she wrote.

The risk level for Middlesex County is low, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines released Friday. That means masks are no longer recommended for the public here — or anywhere in Massachusetts.

Kukenberger also noted the guidance no longer makes separate recommendations for schools and the rest of the community, as well as the CDC dropping the requirement for masking on school buses.

The School Committee, not Kukenberger, are the ones who have the authority to drop the mask mandate. As of right now, it's still scheduled to end the first day of spring, but the School Committee left open the possibility of ending the requirement earlier.

The School Committee also voted to give Kukenberger authority to extend a mask mandate at the Franklin School, where students are too young to be eligible for vaccination. There was no immediate indication Kukenberger would take that step.

The district's online dashboard shows 1,155 confirmed COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the school year, 59 of which were reported in February. Those numbers did not include Feb. 28, the first day back from winter break.

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