Somerset schools open mask-optional but final action by state will mandate masks in short time

Posted 8/30/21

BALTIMORE — Somerset County Public Schools are opening this week mask-optional but action last Thursday by the Maryland State Board of Education will in a few days require face coverings be …

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Somerset schools open mask-optional but final action by state will mandate masks in short time

Posted

BALTIMORE — Somerset County Public Schools are opening this week mask-optional but action last Thursday by the Maryland State Board of Education will in a few days require face coverings be worn by all students and staff in all school districts statewide.

The General Assembly’s Joint Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR) Committee is expected to meet Sept. 14 to enact the state board’s emergency regulation mandating a face covering over the nose and mouth of anyone in a school building unless they are under the age of 2.

Other exceptions include those who are medically, mentally or physically challenged; those exercising, or playing a musical instrument; or those consuming food or beverage.

Gov. Larry Hogan had lifted a statewide mask mandate effective July 1 and SCPS did not require them after that date except on school buses which are federally-regulated.

Somerset and four other counties — Worcester, Dorchester, Cecil and Carroll — intended to continue mask optional but a Carroll County teacher on the state board moved to require masks as an emergency measure. Rachel McCusker said a mask-mandate may in fact allow more students to stay in school if a classmate or staff member tests positive for the coronavirus.

More specifically, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires all students in a classroom to quarantine if unmasked and they come in contact with a COVID-positive person. However, if they are masked and not in close contact with that person they may remain in school.

The State Board — which initially believed it lacked the authority to require masks — voted 13-1 to impose masks on all jurisdictions.

Voting with the majority was Gen. Warner Sumpter (ret.) of Princess Anne, a former chair of the Somerset County Board of Education. He said, "Do what’s right for the children," noting that he was concerned about the possibility of students having to return to online classes.

Student representative Kevin Boukum supported the mandate, saying to parents, "Wouldn’t you rather have your kids be masked than online?"

The lone "no" vote was from the Howard County representative, Gail Bates, who believed local boards had the authority to do what’s best in their jurisdictions.

"I have a problem with a one-size-fits-all solution," she said.

President Clarence Crawford also said he preferred to defer to local authorities, however, he said the board’s obligation is to return students to classrooms. "So for that reason, I also stand in favor of the regulation," he said.

Public comment was not accepted during the meeting, which was available for viewing via livestream.

State Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury, who supports the mask mandate, said he would report case rates to the board each month to gauge whether the order can be lifted.

Since July 1 when masks became optional through the week ending Aug. 27 SCPS reports there have been 10 staff and three students testing positive for COVID-19. SCPS Superintendent Dr. John Gaddis in a phone message to parents Friday evening said the state’s decision supersedes the local board and it has the authority to do so.

"We believe it is enforceable," he said, and explained its intent on reducing the number of people who would have to quarantine if exposed in a classroom. However, Dr. Gaddis added, "While we in Somerset also want to avoid any disruptions to our in-person learning status...we would have preferred to make this decision locally" based on county and school system metrics.

Not following the state mandate could result in a loss of funding, and Dr. Gaddis said he is not willing to let that happen.

Until the AELR committee approves the rule, masks will only be required on school buses. "But things may change as early as next week," Dr. Gaddis said, noting to staff that in his memory this is the first time something like this has been done.

As written the regulation applies to local boards of education and public schools, and will be in effect for up to 180 days unless lifted by the state board.

Due to the makeup of the Democrat-majority General Assembly which favors masks the vote of the committee to rubber stamp the state board’s vote is expected. Gov. Hogan could request the AELR committee meet sooner than Sept. 14 but there was no immediate action to do that.

— Dave Ryan of the Dorchester Banner contributed to this story.

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