Woburn Schools Mandate Vaccines Or Regular Testing For Staff

WOBURN, MA — Woburn Public Schools mandated vaccines or regular testing for district employees, implementing the city's policy, the school committee chair confirmed.

The committee voted at their Sept. 2 meeting to implement the mayor's vaccine or regular testing policy for the district, Woburn School Committee Chair Ellen Crowley said.

Under Mayor Scott Galvin's policy, all city employees who interact with the public or with co-workers are required to either show proof of vaccination or get regularly tested. The city policy went into effect Monday.

The bulk of the committee's discussion of the policy was during executive session to discuss negotiating strategy, as members were concerned a mandate would affect the committee's position. The administration said there would be no repercussions with the union, Crowley said following the executive session.

The committee quickly voted unanimously in favor of accepting the policy.

Under the policy, employees who do not show proof of vaccination will need to get tested for the coronavirus weekly, the mayor said. There would be "reasonable accommodation" for employees who cannot or get vaccinated for medical or religious reasons, he said.

The policy will be enforced with discipline measures including firing, the mayor said.

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