District is required to continue to contact trace and quarantine like last year, although vaccinated individuals will not have to quarantine. On the subject of masks, he said the District is doing its due diligence to evaluate the issue and the impact it will have on the entire school community. As information on masking continues to be released by various health authorities, “it’s important for us to evaluate this information … to make an informed decision that makes the best sense to keep our schools open and our kids safe.” He mentioned the federal order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requiring everyone to mask on buses, including field trips and athletic trips.
As of Earlier this week Governor Phil Murphy doesn’t anticipate a statewide mask mandate for the fall, although President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that federal officials will “probably” recommend children under 12 wear face coverings in school.
Board President Chris Bonner asked what resources were being used to make operational decisions. Hough’s sources include the CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics, the state Department of Health, the state Department of Education’s “Road Forward” document, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He has also been meeting with superintendents in peer districts in the area to understand their approaches and how they’re making their decisions. Those districts are also waiting to release their plans.
