Stoneham Schools To Ditch Mask Mandate In March

STONEHAM, MA — Masks will no longer be required in Stoneham school buildings after the state's mask mandate expires at the end of the month.

Superintendent John Macero said in an email to the school community Thursday afternoon the district will follow Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidance and not extend a mask mandate into March.

"Any individual who wishes to continue to mask, including those who face higher risk from COVID-19, will be supported in that choice," Macero said.

Masks will still be required on school buses and when visiting the school nurse.

Gov. Charlie Baker announced Wednesday the state's school mask mandate will expire Feb. 28, leaving it up to districts to decide how they want to proceed heading into March. Some districts, such as Boston, have already decided to keep masking, while others have said they will follow state guidelines.

Macero said Massachusetts' "high vaccination rates and widespread availability of COVID-19 testing for school personnel and students support this decision."

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