Brookline Schools Closed Monday Due To COVID-19 Case Surge

BROOKLINE, MA — Brookline schools are closed Monday due to a local surge in COVID-19 cases, according to Superintendent Linus Guillory.

The announcement came after Brookline’s holiday break and amidst the Omicron variant outbreak. Guillory said too many staff members are currently out sick for pandemic-related reasons to safely open schools.

"At this time, we simply do not have the staffing capacity to operate all schools safely,” said Guillory in a letter to families. "While we understand that closing schools on Monday will be challenging for families, we believe this is in the best interest for our staff, students, and families and will allow us to return as safely and as strongly as possible."

Guillory said the district will continue to monitor their capacity to reopen schools over the next 24 hours. Any additional school closures will be announced by Tuesday, Jan. 4.

"I urge everyone to practice the same patience, understanding, and gratitude we have exhibited throughout this pandemic,” he said. "In doing so, I am confident we will overcome any obstacles that are presented in the coming days and weeks ahead. I look forward to welcoming our community back when we believe it is safe to do so.”

On Sunday, at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits were available to school staff for pick up and ten KN95 masks will also be given out to all employees when they arrive back at school. Those who could not make it to the distribution time for the COVID-19 tests on Sunday will have the opportunity to pick up their test kits at school this week.