Cranston Schools Requiring Masks Regardless of Vaccination Status

CRANSTON, RI — Cranston Public Schools will require students, faculty, staff and visitors to wear a mask this school year, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

The school committee voted unanimously at its meeting Monday to update its policy, in response to a nationwide spike in coronavirus cases brought on by the delta variant, and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Gov. Dan McKee has said he will not issue a statewide mask mandate for schools, choosing to leave it up to the districts. While he hasn't issued a mandate, McKee said he expects schools districts will follow the CDC's recommendations

Cranston School Committee member Michael Traficante told WPRI 12 he was disappointed the governor left the decision up to school districts, because it takes the pressure off McKee and puts it on individual school committees throughout the state.

"This should not have been left up to any school committees in Rhode Island," Traficante told WPRI 12. "We aren't scientists."

Many parents were divided on the mask mandate during Monday's meeting, the Providence Journal reported. Several supporters said masks provide an additional layer of defense that might be necessary to keep in-person classes going this upcoming school year.

Parent John Rossi said it shouldn't be the decision of school officials to make medical choices for children. He also said there's great disparity in public health policy when masks can be forced on children, but people can go to a Red Sox or Patriots game without a mask, the Providence Journal reported.