Wilmington School Committee Leaves Mask Mandate In Place

WILMINGTON, MA — The Wilmington School Committee took no action on the district's mask policy Monday, leaving in place the mandate from the 2020-2021 school year for at least the beginning of the coming year.

The committee discussed at length a revised mandate put forward by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, but mustered only one vote in favor of it. The committee opted instead to leave the existing policy in place by default while the policy subcommittee discusses further revisions.

Among other concerns, members of the committee wanted there to be clear guidelines for when the mandate would be lifted.

The committee also discussed adopting the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recommendation that vaccinated students and staff not have to wear masks.

With no decision, the 2020-2021 policy remains in place likely for at least the first week of school, with the next committee meeting not scheduled until Sept. 8, a week after the first day of school.

The committee also heard extensive public comments, with commenters speaking both for and against mandatory face coverings. The meeting was briefly disrupted a couple of times and at one point recessed as opponents to mask mandates attempted to argue or ask questions outside of the public comment period.

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