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Date: 8/24/2021
AGAWAM – The protocols involved with reopening the schools dominated the Agawam School Committee’s special meeting on Aug. 17.
The meeting began with citizen speak time, consisting of a variety of comments from parents, teachers and even students, regarding mask mandates.
While some shared they think it’s best for kids to wear masks in school, others disagreed. Many who disagreed with masking asked the School Committee for the parents to be able to make the choice.
Following citizen speak time, Superintendent Sheila Hoffman shared her report, consisting of updates to come this school year. She explained they will have five full, in-person learning days for K-12; elimination of medical waiting rooms, updated quarantining protocols, continuation of tent rentals for outdoor spaces, assigned seating at lunch, before/after school program reinstated and continued consultation with health officials.
Hoffman said, “We still plan on using mitigation strategies in our schools. The one that we asked parents to partner with us for last year [and staff], we are asking again this year – [is] if you are sick or you have symptoms, we are asking you to stay home.”
Additionally, the Agawam schools will be maintaining proper sanitation protocols including the cleaning of classrooms in between use and at the end of each school day. They will be maintaining uni-vent systems as well.
Hoffman explained they are partnering with the Massachusetts Health Department and their school nurses to apply for the diagnostic testing, in particular, what the state is calling “test and stay.” This means if someone was in close contact with someone who tested positive, they wouldn’t need to be quarantined if they agreed to get tested regularly in order to stay in school. Hoffman said there is more information on this to come.
She said that through joint guidance from the state – Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Health (DPH) – both strongly recommend masking indoors for students grades K through 6. Masking is not required outdoors.
“DESE and DPH also strongly recommend that unvaccinated staff in all grades, unvaccinated students in grades 7 and above, and unvaccinated visitors wear masks indoors, in alignment with the statewide advisory on masking,” shared Hoffman.
If vaccinated, DESE and DPH recommend students to remain unmasked. They encourage students to wear masks if they have a higher risk for disease or live with someone who is high risk. Similarly, if a child wishes to wear a mask at school, DESE and DPH believe they should be supported in this choice.
As of now, the federal public health guidance requires masking while on school buses.
Sapelli asked for a motion to suspend the rules in order to take action on SCR 21-13 – the approval of revised face covering policies.
The School Committee expressed their thoughts on being the ones to make this decision. Several members said that the best person to make this decision is Hoffman – not them. They expressed their trust and full confidence in her.
Hoffman said, “I want to make it very clear: I am also not a medical doctor, I am an educator – and as an educator, I must rely on the consultation with the health officials to make any determinations regarding health matters in our schools.”
Hoffman met with the town health agents the day prior to the School Committee meeting. During the School Committee meeting, she read a statement from the Health Department regarding mask guidance.
She said, “Our children are our most precious gifts and unfortunately at this time, those children under the age of 12 do not have a vaccine approved yet for use in the prevention of COVID-19. Therefore, the Agawam Health Department has taken the stance to follow the guidance released on July 30, 2021, by DESE and DPH for this fall. [That] all students in Kindergarten through grade 6 are strongly recommended to wear a mask when indoors, except students who cannot do so due to medical conditions or behavioral needs. Masks are not necessary outdoors and may be removed while eating indoors.”
Agawam Education Association leadership was also in attendance at that meeting. A statement was released by the leadership to Hoffman. Hoffman read the statement: “After meeting with the superintendent, her administrative staff, the mayor, the chair of the policy subcommittee, and the town’s Health Department, while taking into consideration input from the Agawam Education Association Membership, it is the recommendation of the associations leadership to follow the guidance of the towns Health Department.”
Hoffman said her decision would follow the guidance released by the Health Department, and to follow joint guidance from DESE and DPH regarding masking.
“I am asking the Agawam parents to continue partnering with our schools and to follow the guidance. Our administrative team is working to ensure our school communities prioritize tolerance and understanding and respect to mask wearing. We understand families have unique circumstances and must do what’s best for their own situations. Please help us in reinforcing this message,” stated Hoffman.
When it came time to vote on the resolution of face coverings, the School Committee voted seven, yes, zero, no.
Since this meeting, Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley was given by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education authority to issue a mask mandate for grades K-12 through at least Oct. 1.