DESE Mask Requirement Correspondence and Updates
Please view the following correspondence regarding mask requirements to and from the Hanover School Committee and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Correspondence is listed from most recent to oldest.
October 27, 2021
Correspondence sent by Helene Bettencourt, DESE
Good afternoon Ms. Corbo,
Attached please find the response from Commissioner Riley.
Best,
Helene
Attachment: Request for Exemption to Mask Requirement for Hanover Public Schools
October 26, 2021
Correspondence sent by Libby Corbo, Hanover School Committee
Dear Commissioner Riley and DESE Board Members:
Good Morning. I am writing to follow up on the below email requesting a masking exemption for the Hanover Public School based upon the alternate thresholds of pooled testing enrollment and community COVID spread data. Our board is meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) and we will provide an update to the public at that time. A response to the below would inform our discussion and be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your consideration.
Warm regards,
Libby Corbo
Hanover School Committee, Member
October 18, 2021
Correspondence sent by Libby Corbo, Hanover School Committee
Dear Commissioner Riley and DESE Board Members:
By unanimous vote of its present members at our regular meeting on October 13, 2021, the Hanover School Committee authorized me to contact you on its behalf with the following request.
The Hanover School Committee requests that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) grant the Hanover Public School District an alternative exemption to the mask mandate. We request that this exemption be based on an initial threshold of pooled testing enrollment, as opposed to vaccination rates. I have enclosed an exemplar policy which was drafted for Committee review and consideration. This exemplar policy employs a 50% school enrollment in pooled testing as the primary threshold, and moderate community spread markers (as defined by CDC guidance) as secondary thresholds. This is an exemplar policy and Hanover is willing to collaborate with DESE and the Department of Public Health to modify these thresholds if necessary.
As stated in the preamble to the exemplar policy, using pooled testing as a primary threshold for an exemption to masking, as opposed to vaccination rates, is a more precise indicator of the presence of COVID-19 in our schools and more accurately informs the district of the risk to our students. As you are aware, Hanover's pooled testing program is administered in conjunction with the Town's nationally recognized Mobile Integrated Health program and the Broad Institute. This testing program, which provides PCR testing of pooled samples with a 24-hour turnaround time, and our thorough contact tracing protocols, provide Hanover Public Schools with the necessary infrastructure to support this exemption request.
Your prompt response is greatly appreciated. Our next Committee meeting is October 27th and we will be providing an update to the community at that time. Thank you in advance for your consideration. Our Committee, district, community, families, staff and students await your response.
Warm regards,
Libby Corbo
Hanover School Committee, MemberAttachment: Draft Exemplar Mask Policy
October 7, 2021
Correspondence sent by Helene Bettencourt, DESE
Dear Ms. Miller.
Chair Craven asked that I respond on her behalf
Thank you for your email. We are unable to respond at this time because the Department’s mask mandate is the subject of litigation.
Best.
Helene Bettencourt
October 6, 2021
Correspondence sent by Leah Miller, Hanover School Committee
Dear Commissioner Riley and the DESE Board -
I am the chair of the Hanover School Committee. A member of my board has submitted this policy for me to review and include at our next meeting for discussion. I respectfully ask you to review this policy and comment on the validity of the policy. I have written many times with specific questions regarding the masking mandate, but as of yet have not had any response from Commissioner Riley or his office. I know we are not the only school committee that has reached out with no response. I have reached out to MASC and they too said they have not received clarity around the questions we have asked. This non-response is really disheartening and putting us all in a precarious position with our families and staff.
Sincerely,
Leah Miller
Attachment: Draft Masking Policy
September 30, 2021
Correspondence sent by Helene Bettencourt, DESE
Hello Leah,
I have received your email and I will connect with the DESE team so that I can respond to your questions. Helene
September 28, 2021
Correspondence sent by Leah Miller, Hanover School Committee
Hi Helene -
I am hoping that you can help me get some answers to two questions that are very pressing, given the latest guidance from DESE.
1. How does DESE envision districts enforcing the mask mandate on non-vaccinated students and staff without violating HIPPA. This question has been asked of us over and over again and we have not received any guidance from the state.
2. What is the exact consequence that will be implemented for districts that do not follow this mandate and instead opt for mask optional policies? Our community is really asking for an exact answer to this and we need it as decision makers so that we can make an informed decision.
Thank you,
Leah Miller
Chair, Hanover School Committee
September 14, 2021
Correspondence sent by Helene Bettencourt, DESE
Dear Ms. Miller:
Thank you for your email to Katherine Craven, chair of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board). I am responding on her behalf.
Prior to its meeting on August 24, 2021, Board members received thousands of comments from members of the public. These comments, many of which were from parents, expressed a variety of points of view. As several Board members noted during the meeting, Board members valued this engagement from the public.
We encourage members of the public to continue to communicate with the Board. Board members may be reached at this address: Board of Education (DOE) BoardofEducation@mass.gov.
Best,
Helene
September 13, 2021
Correspondence sent by Leah Miller, Hanover School Committee
Ms. Craven -
I would like to formally request that the DESE Board hold an open meeting for all school committee members before October 1st, when your new policies regarding masking take effect. I was dismayed that your meeting was virtual and did not include any time for public comment. As a chair of a school committee, we have hosted countless meetings and listened to many hours of public comment on our policies over the last 18 months. Most communities held open meetings to discuss the mask mandate BEFORE you issued your mandate and were subject to much public comment before and after they took their votes on the issue. Then you supersede their votes with your vote and do not offer us the courtesy of hearing from us.
I would appreciate a response to my request if possible. Our community is asking for accountability and my hands are tied by your policy decisions. I know many of our parents have also written to the board and they have not received a response. If I receive a response, I will be sure to share it with my community and I think that would go a long way in building back some trust.
Sincerely,
Leah Miller
Chair, Hanover Public Schools
August 30, 2021
Correspondence sent by Helene Bettencourt, DESE
Good morning, I will forward this information to Commissioner Riley.
Best,
Helene
August 27, 2021
Correspondence sent by Leah Miller, Hanover School Committee
Helene -
Last night, after a heated school committee meeting, consisting of many upset community members, the Hanover School Committee voted to endorse this statement to Commissioner Riley, Governor Baker, and the Massachusetts Board of Education. If you could pass this onto Commissioner Riley we would appreciate it.
The Hanover School Committee urges DESE and Governor Baker to restore school COVID mitigation efforts, including mask requirements, to local control on or before October 1. As grounds therefore, we state that local governance is in the best position to assess individual community needs. and consider unique community resources that impact the risk of COVID transmission in our schools. However, for instance, has a nationally recognized COVID testing program via our Mobile Integrated Health unit, we have a robust contract tracing department and we have invested considerable financial resources into improving our air circulation in each school building. We also have strong collaborative relationships with our town departments, including the town emergency management team and our Board of Health. We strongly believe that local governance, including our school committee, can determine the best approach to COVID mitigation in our community, while meeting the needs of families and keeping our community safe.
Sincerely,
The Hanover School Committee