West Haven School Mask Update: Officials Address Lamont's Plan

WEST HAVEN, CT — West Haven school officials will meet with state health officials next week to help determine how best to address Gov. Ned Lamont’s plan to end the state’s school mask mandate at the end of the month.

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 began its session Wednesday.

“Since the start of the pandemic, we believe we have acted in the best interests of our staff and students and want to continue to maintain a transparent process regarding our next steps,” according to a joint message from Superintendent Neil C. Cavallaro and Board of Education Chairwoman Cebi Waterfield to the school community. “Next week our leadership team will participate in a statewide organizational meeting with the CT DPH, CT SDE and other agency officials who will help guide us in determining the best plan. We will utilize the information learned from both state and local public health authorities to inform our decision-making. We will share any pertinent information as soon as it becomes available.

“Our priority has always been to provide the very best educational opportunities for our students in the safest environment possible. Throughout the challenges of the pandemic, we have relied upon our school community to assist us and we anticipate facing this next challenge together as well.”