Schooling Commissioner To Ask For Authority To Challenge College Masks Mandate At Tuesday Assembly – CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) – The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is holding a special session Tuesday morning where they will decide whether to give State Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley authority to institute a universal school mask mandate.
The mandate would apply to all K-12 public schools, as well as all teachers and staff. The mandate is only valid for interiors and for children aged five and over.
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It would be until October 1st, by which time unvaccinated students and staff could remove their masks as long as the entire school building has a vaccination rate of 80%.
The mandate would include exceptions for students who cannot wear a mask for medical or behavioral reasons.
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This would be a big change from last month when DESE issued guidelines strongly recommending the wearing of masks for unvaccinated students but missing a mandate and leaving each district to set their own COVID-19 rules.
Riley said a universal mandate will incentivize more people to get vaccinated and ensure a smooth and safe reopening.
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The special session takes place virtually at 10 a.m.
