Masks Optional In South Brunswick Schools After March. 7

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — The South Brunswick school district will make masks optional for students after March. 7, Superintendent Scott Feder announced during Thursday’s Board meeting.

Feder had made the recommendation to the Board earlier. However, students and staff will still have to remain masked in school buses, vans, and vehicles, until the Federal government makes the change, Feder said. School buses are subject to federal masking regulations.

While masks are optional at school buildings, Feder said masks may be required when entering the nurse's office. “And that'll be situational. It's going to be depending on the situation at the school, and why someone is going to the nurse,” Feder said. “That's going to be managed locally at a school level.”

The Superintendent noted that masking rules are going to look different in schools, depending on a COVID-19 outbreak.

“In the event of an outbreak, it is still possible that we will have to reinstate masks for either a class, or it could be a whole school, it could be the whole district. Those things are possible,” Feder said.

Although district officials don’t expect a COVID-19 outbreak they are prepared for it.

With regard to other issues like student exclusion from class due to COVID-19, Feder said the district is still looking into the matter. The Superintendent said they have about four to five pages of policy “that outlines all of these various things,” and those will be updated soon.

“If you're sick stay home, you have COVID Stay home. As far as you are near (someone with COVID), all of that we can't manage anymore,” Feder said. "We need to move forward and address kids that are sick and help those students and families. And that's the recommendation of our medical professionals in the district. We have to move forward, stop excluding kids and let these kids stay in school. So that's what we're going to be asking the Board to consider - a change in policy.”

Feder said he has been working with school nurses on the COVID-19 protocols and policies. “We want to keep everybody safe, no question of that. But we do want to stop sending kids home,” he said.

Read More: Masks In South Brunswick Schools: Board To Make Decision Soon

'Not So Simple': South Brunswick Superintendent On Mask Mandate

Gov. Phil Murphy announced earlier this month that New Jersey will drop its statewide mask mandate for schools, effective March 7. The state will allow individual school districts and daycare centers to maintain masking requirements after that date.

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