Tewksbury Teen Petitions To End School Mask Mandate

TEWKSBURY, MA — A Tewksbury teenager has garnered nearly 300 signatures, plus media attention, for a petition to end the district's mask mandate.

The petition, launched by Maximus Mattuchio a week ago, has 293 signatures as of Wednesday evening. It was covered Monday by CBS Boston.

The School Committee voted a week earlier to require masks for all students and staff for at least the first 60 days of school.

Soon after, the district was partially preempted by a state mandate through Oct. 1.

Mattuchio told CBS Boston that he will follow the mandate, but thinks it should be up to individuals.

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