LYNN — In a unanimous vote Thursday, School Committee members opted to support the Lynn Public Schools reopening plan proposed by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Tutwiler, which includes a requirement for all students and staff to wear masks indoors.
Tutwiler’s proposal was based on rising COVID-19 cases in Lynn driven by the highly-contagious Delta variant, and recommendations from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) for indoor mask wearing for students in grades K-6, as well as unvaccinated older students and adults.
According to a presentation Tutwiler gave before the vote, the monthly positive rate of COVID-19 cases has grown from 0.5 percent in June 2021 to 4-5 percent in the past six weeks. The same trend has been happening on a week-to-week basis, he said.
“We have and we’ll continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of all students and staff,” Tutwiler said. “Mask wearing is an effective mitigation policy.”
To that end, Tutwiler said the district is implementing mitigation strategies, dubbed “The FIVES,” which are aimed at ensuring safety and efficient learning. These strategies include in-person learning, universal mask wearing indoors, health and hygiene strategies, cleaning and sanitizing and ventilation.
Lynn Public Schools has plenty of personal protective equipment (PPE) in stock, and there is hand sanitizer in every classroom. LPS successfully launched a rapid-testing program last year and will continue to use it when a student or a staff member is experiencing symptoms at school. The weekly pool testing policy is being finalized, Tutwiler said.
If there are problems with the mask mandate or rising cases of COVID-19 in schools, Tutwiler said, he will consult with health professionals and will take appropriate actions at the city level.
This year, the commonwealth of Massachusetts has decided that all public school students shall return to full-time in-person learning in fall. The state does not allow remote or hybrid learning at this time. However, Gov. Charlie Baker left it up to cities and towns to decide on mask mandates.
According to the Lynn Public Schools’ plan, students will be able to participate in many programs and activities this fall that were available pre-pandemic. The schools will leverage outdoor, mask-free activities whenever possible.
Lunch will happen both indoors and outdoors if possible. For example, Lynn English High School will have a tent in front of the Lincoln Foyer. Naturally, students will be able to remove masks when eating or drinking.
Although physical distancing is not required anymore, the superintendent recommended distancing at three or more feet where possible.
Both students and teachers may provide a note from a doctor if mask wearing is detrimental to their health. However, Tutwiler stressed that this stipulation will be honored only if the reason provided corresponds to the CDC’s list of viable excuses.
Students who were exposed to the virus but who do not experience any COVID-19 symptoms will be allowed to continue attending school if their families consent to daily rapid tests for seven days. Otherwise, these students will have to quarantine for seven days at home.
Quarantining students will be encouraged to keep up with their studies via Schoology, an online learning-management plan that was available pre-pandemic, as remote learning is not an option anymore. Teachers can provide assignments and activities via Schoology.
Committee member Michael Satterwhite raised a question about air quality and ventilation as, in his opinion, some schools are older and don’t fit the same approach for all.
Tutwiler responded that the district had done both air-quality analysis and airflow analysis in addition to testing ventilation systems in 15 out of 25 schools. Seven schools received new HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems. Air purifiers have been deployed where needed and windows can be used when the weather permits. Tracy Elementary, Fecteau-Leary Junior/Senior High School and Lincoln-Thomson Elementary will receive new HVAC systems in the next few months.
Committee member Jared Nicholson brought up obligatory vaccination for staff.
“I am certainly amenable to that,” said Tutwiler. “The science says that in schools where students are not yet of age to get a vaccine, one of the best practices beyond mask wearing is having the adults working with them be vaccinated.”
Mayor Thomas M. McGee added that the requirement would be to be vaccinated or tested twice a week.
Currently, 97-98 percent of Lynn teachers are fully vaccinated, according to various studies cited by Tutwiler. Among students ages 12-15, the vaccination rate is at 40 percent in the city and in the mid-50 percent range for students ages 16-18. Every family also gets a bag with information about vaccination and some COVID supplies through the school.
Committee Vice Chair Donna Coppola mentioned an email from a teacher who refuses to wear masks under any circumstances because the educator said they affect the quality of teaching.
Tutwiler agreed that teaching involves a lot of talking, which is hard to do in a mask. However, he said that the district was providing microphones this year, which will amplify teachers’ voices and are wearable around the neck. About 80 percent of classrooms have already been equipped with them. Teachers can also wear masks with a sheer front part so students can see their lips as they are talking.
The city is also launching a blended learning program this year called “Modern Classroom,” which includes teachers recording their lessons on video. Deputy Superintendent of Schools Debra Ruggiero said all teachers will receive training for it and will be asked if they want to participate in the program further. However, this is a test year and not every teacher will be doing videos, so not all students will be able to use and rely on the recordings.
Committee member Brian Castellanos inquired about the need for nurses in the district. Tutwiler reported that there are still 11 unfilled positions. His team might be able to make another three offers, but not all positions will be filled by September, Tutwiler said, explaining that this isn’t an issue unique to Lynn. Other districts are fighting for the same professionals, he added.
“I don’t have an elegant solution,” said Tutwiler. “It is around pay. I can’t unilaterally fix that.”
Castellanos suggested considering more options to motivate Lynn residents to study nursing with a possibility of future employment in the city’s public school district.
