Wallingford School Mask Update: Officials Address Lamont’s Plan

WALLINGFORD, CT — Wallingford school and health officials will continue to analyze the local COVID-19 cases over the next few weeks to determine how best to address Gov. Ned Lamont’s plan to end the state’s school mask mandate at the end of the month, according to Superintendent of Schools Danielle Bellizzi.

Lamont announced plans Monday to end the school mask mandate on Feb. 28. Local officials would then have control over mask policies as of March 1 under Lamont's proposal. Lamont's suggestions need approval from the state legislature, which begins its session Wednesday.

“Throughout the past 24 months, Wallingford Public Schools has worked in close collaboration with the Wallingford Department of Health, the district’s Medical Health Advisor, and our district Nurse Coordinator to analyze the number of local cases of COVID-19 to aid in developing protocols aimed at mitigating the spread of the virus,” Bellizzi wrote in a message to families. “We will continue this practice as we determine how best to address Governor Lamont’s plan to eliminate the statewide, school mask mandate currently in place under Connecticut’s COVID-19 safety protocols.”

After Lamont’s mandate ends, Bellizzi said local school boards and district-level administrators will seek guidance from the state Department of Health and local health officials with developing guidelines for mask-wearing in school facilities and at school-sponsored events.

“Wallingford Public Schools takes this responsibility very seriously and we will continue to place the health and safety of our students and staff as our top priority during this phase of the pandemic,” Bellizzi said. “We will continue to closely monitor COVID-19 cases in the region as we develop these guidelines and understand that we may need to change course in whatever decisions are made to address potential outbreaks of the virus.

“We know that the past 24 months have been challenging for our students, staff, and families. Hopefully, the current downward trend in the number of cases continues. However, it is imperative that we all remain vigilant in our efforts and that we maintain a measured, cautious approach to reducing our mitigation strategies, including the wearing of masks in schools.

“I will be reaching out to you over the next few weeks to share our findings and to inform all of you of our plans regarding COVID-19 and the new state guidelines regarding masks in schools.”