Marblehead Schools 'Committed To Maintaining In-Person Learning'

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead Superintendent John Buckey said that district leaders are "committed to maintaining in-person learning' as they meet each day to discuss updated data and discuss protocols amid the post-holiday coronavirus spike.

Buckey told Patch there was a "higher-than-normal rate of absenteeism" on Monday and Tuesday, but that it was "nothing that would impact safe operations."

Buckey attributed the absences to positive coronavirus cases, as well as families that ran into coronavirus-related travel trouble coming home from the holiday break and parents choosing to be extra cautious amid the elevated virus cases.

The district conducted pool testing over the past two days and had more than 350 staff members collect rapid tests on Sunday. Buckey said KN95 masks were distributed this week in addition to having "thousands already on hand."

Lunch protocols have been altered to increase distance when students are unmasked.

"Our other mitigation protocols are in place and continue to serve us well," he said.

Buckey credited school staff across the district with being "exceptional" providing coverage and assisting colleagues when needed.

"We are committed to maintaining in-person learning and will continue to monitor conditions day by day to ensure we are able to ensure student and staff safety as our primary focus," he said.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)