Bucks Co. Schools Review Mask Policy Following New CDC Guidance

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Fully vaccinated people do not have to wear a face covering in most situations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced last week, but what does that mean for Pennsylvania school districts?

Superintendents and school boards are grappling with that question, but many may choose to defer the issue to the 2021-2022 school year.

On Friday, superintendents for the 13 school districts in Bucks County met with County Public Health Director David Damsker to discuss the new guidance and other pandemic-related issues. In a statement following the meeting, Damsker said the county health department "absolutely believes in the safety and effectiveness of fully vaccinated individuals removing their masks according tot he new guidance" but recognizes the logistics of implementing a new mask policy at the end of the school year may prove cumbersome.

As such, the department "is very supportive of any school or school district that chooses to maintain face covering expectations for the duration of the 2020-2021 school year," Damsker said.

It remains unclear what school districts, if any, will alter their policy. In Newtown, Council Rock administrators and the school board plan to discuss the new guidance at its next facilities committee meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Superintendent Robert Fraser said in a letter to families on Friday.

In the meantime, the district will continue to maintain existing face covering rules for students and staff, he said.

Be the first to know what's happening in your town and area. Sign up to get Patch emails and don't miss a minute of local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe