School Committee Votes Unanimously To Lift Mask Mandate For Vaccinated Individuals at Ashland High

ASHLAND – The Ashland School Committee voted unanimously last night 5-0 to lift the facial covering mandate at Ashland High School for fully vaccinated individuals.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has a face covering mandate for all school districts through January 15, 2022.

The Ashland School Committee vote came on the recommendation of Ashland Superintendent of Schools Jim Adams.

“The School Committee approved my recommendation to allow vaccinated individuals to remove their face covering inside Ashland High School beginning December 13, 2021. In order to remove the face covering, parents are required to fill out an attestation form for their students,” wrote Supt. Adams to families this morning, November 19.

At Ashland High, 85% of students and 98% of staff are fully vaccinated.

“Upon our return from the December break, facial coverings will be required for ALL individuals, regardless of vaccination status, from January 3, 2022 through January 15, 2022,” wrote Supt Adams. This complies with the Mass DESE policy.

“On January 18, 2022 those who are fully vaccinated and have completed the attestation form will once again be given the option to remove their face covering, assuming we do not see an uptick in COVID cases” at Ashland High, wrote Supt. Adams.

“All unvaccinated individuals will be required to continue to wear face coverings inside all APS buildings,” wrote Supt. Adams.

Here is a link to the ATTESTATION FORM.