Swampscott High To Keep Masks Despite Hitting Vaccination Mark

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott High School students and staff will stay masked up indoors this winter despite hitting a state coronavirus vaccination threshold that would allow the district to apply for a waiver to lift the state mandate.

Superintendent of Schools Pam Angelakis told the School Committee this week that the district has determined that at least 530 high school students are vaccinated — surpassing the 80 percent state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education threshold that would allow the district to petition for the mask-free waiver.

But she said she is not recommending the district apply for the waiver at this time because of continued cases, teacher comfort level with the unmasking, a nursing staff taxed with testing and contact tracing and activities moving indoors because of colder weather.

"From the get-go, we've really been super cautious," she told the School Committee. "Sometimes we've been more cautious and have done more things than we've been required to do. I think that's helped us get through this. I just think we should stay with that mentality right now."

The state indoor mask mandate for all schools that do not reach 80 percent vaccination among students and staff or opt not to apply for the waiver has been extended until Jan. 15, but Angelakis indicated it could be longer than that before vaccinated Swampscott High students and staff have the option to ditch the face coverings.

"Everyone is going indoors," she said. "We are not going to to have as much use of the tents. We are not going to be having outdoor lunches.

"I think it's just prudent to stay the course at least until the good weather comes in the spring."

Angelakis said she made the recommendation in consultation with Occupational Health Nurse Amanda Mulcahy and other feedback based on the current conditions in the district.

"We are seeing — not a lot — but we are seeing steady cases in the schools," Angelakis said. "The other consideration is our teacher population. They are not comfortable unmasking at this time."

Angelakis said she was also not recommending a vaccination mandate among staff because an overwhelming majority are already vaccinated.

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(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.)