Masks In Montclair Schools ‘Not A Political Decision:’ Official

MONTCLAIR, NJ — For now, face masks will be part of the return to classrooms in the Montclair Public School District this fall.

During the Montclair Board of Education meeting last week, Superintendent Jonathan Ponds confirmed that the district is currently mandating face masks in schools. Students with a disability who cannot wear a mask are exempt from the mandate, he added.

“For me, it’s not a political decision … it’s a medical decision,” Ponds said.

Watch the July 26 meeting video here.

The superintendent added that considering the delta variant of COVID-19, “if our doctors tell us we need a mask mandate, we will have one.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently recommending universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Read More: Masks Should Be Worn In Nearly All NJ Counties, CDC Says

Gov. Phil Murphy has said he's not backing down on his stance that schools need to return to a fully in-person, five-day a week format in the fall. And while the state isn't mandating the use of masks among unvaccinated students, school districts can choose to go beyond what the state is recommending, he said.

• See related article: Newark Schools Hold Firm On Mask Mandate As Delta Variant Hits NJ

In June, Montclair school officials released a "Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Instruction," which was required to apply for federal funding. The tentative blueprint stated that the Montclair public school district will follow the Essex County Department of Health guidelines for wearing masks.

“The district will utilize the CDC resources on proper mask wearing, and staff will reinforce proper mask wearing at the building level,” the document states. “Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided to staff and students when necessary. Staff and students may use their own PPE if desired.”

TOWN HALL

District administrators will hold a virtual town hall at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 12 to discuss the reopening plan for September. Questions can be sent to reopening@mpsdnj.us by Aug. 9.

Participants can use this link on Aug. 12 to join.

“The reopening committees, comprised of teachers, administrators, experts in the field, parents, and community stakeholders have been working hard this summer to revise and update our plans for September,” officials stated. “They are prioritizing health and safety, continuity of services, and social emotional well-being, and some of them will be joining me at the town hall.”

The next Montclair Board of Education meeting will be held on Monday, Aug. 16.

• See related article: Montclair's New Task Force Has Big Job: Help Schools Reopen
• See related article: First Day Of School In Montclair (2021-22 Calendar)

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