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Date: 8/18/2021
LONGMEADOW – Discussions revolved around the districts reopening plans for the upcoming school year at the Longmeadow School Committee’s Aug. 10 meeting.
The stage was set once the meeting began with passionate comments by the public. Longmeadow citizens shared a wide variance of opinions about the upcoming school year, debating issues such as mask mandates and equitable education for autoimmune students amidst the continued development of the delta variant.
Longmeadow Public Health Director Finn McCool started the conversation by relaying updates on the town’s COVID-19 data. Currently, 72 percent of the town has received at least one dose of the vaccine while 66 percent of the town are fully vaccinated according to McCool’s statistics. “I think it’s a great start. It’s very promising,” said McCool.
However, one statistic showed signs for concern. While the town has only had 19 cases in the last two weeks as of meeting time, a 1.6 COVID-19 test positivity percentage is double that of the prior two weeks. McCool presented a clear explanation for the increase. “A lot of this is due to the delta variant and people who are not vaccinated. The delta variant is much more transmissible,” said McCool. When it comes to the delta variant, McCool said that the variant’s symptoms aren’t as severe, with hospitalizations in the area still being lower despite the case increase.
McCool also updated the board on how vaccinations will change the COVID-19 quarantining process. For vaccinated people with known exposures, McCool shared that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend people get tested three to five days after exposure and wear a mask in public areas for 14 days. He also said the town is trying to ramp up their contact tracing collaborative, which originally occurred in-town before being outsourced during the last few months.
Superintendent M. Martin O’Shea said he has worked to evolve the use of contract tracing. He said the last year of experience has allowed the district to precisely isolate close contact cases so that it does not deter school-wide learning. “We want to exercise an important amount of caution. I'm hoping that the quarantine protocols help us exercise that precision,” said O’Shea. A proposed “test and stay” measure would offer regular testing for students who are in close contact to confirmed cases.
Considering the delta variant’s transmissible nature, Longmeadow Facilities Director Nick Georgantas discussed the school’s efforts to prevent in-school transmissions. “We are going to keep a lot of the strategies from last year in place,” said Georgantas. The instillation of fresh AC filters, 200 ionization ventilation devices and the encouraging of window and fan usage are among the facility team’s procedures. O’Shea revealed that no confirmed cases were spread in school with these techniques in place.
“Continuing that work [from last year] is the obvious thing we can do,” said School Committee Chair Kevin Shea. Other mitigation strategies such as hand sanitizing stations, social distancing where feasible and rigorous cleaning will be ensured to keep the school running at full operation. The increase in digital learning also looks to help against any potential COVID-19 related absences. O’Shea said that lesson deliveries have been standardized on Google Classroom for students to access via their chrome books. Students will also be given resources and tutoring if the absence is an extended one, according to Assistant Superintendent Susan Bertrand.
The issue of masks became a central point of conversation. The School Committee previously adopted a mask policy on Aug. 25, 2020 before suspending it in June of this year due to improved conditions.
With the CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education all updating their mandates, the School Committee is working to adopt a new mandate for the school year.
“[COVID-19] has definitely swung in a different direction,” said committee member Susan Bell. The current mandates from health organizations vary between “strong recommending” masks to requiring them in certain high-traffic areas. While all discussions regarding a new mask mandate in Longmeadow schools are in preliminary stages, O’Shea shared teachers could potentially not wear masks if they provide proof of vaccination.
“We have homework to do. We'll gather some additional information and hopefully bring back a recommendation for you,” said O’Shea.
The next School Committee meeting is scheduled to take place on Aug. 23 at 6:30 p.m.