Ashland, Hopkinton High Schools Can Now Lift Mask Mandate: DESE

ASHLAND, MA — Ashland and Hopkinton High Schools are the first two schools in the state to receive permission to lift their indoor mask mandates for vaccinated individuals, according to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

According to DESE, both schools submitted documentation that at least 80 percent of students and staff have been vaccinated against COVID-19. As of this week, 84 percent of Ashland students and 96 percent of staff have been fully vaccinated and 82 percent of Hopkinton residents are fully vaccinated.

Although the schools have received the green light, vaccinated students and staff at Hopkinton High School can't remove their masks until the School Committee holds a vote later this month.

Ashland High School is taking a similar approach, as Superintendent Jim Adams said that he does not expect mask wearing to go away just yet.

"The Ashland School Committee will continue to discuss this topic in future meetings," said Adams in a letter to the school community. "However, I DO NOT anticipate any immediate change to our practice at this time.

"The state mandate is through November 1, 2021 and the School Committee has committed to reviewing our local data to make the best decision for the entire well-being of the community," he continued.