Back To School? Districts May Not Have A Choice: Patch PM

MASSACHUSETTS — It's Wednesday, March 3. Here's what you should know this afternoon:

• It's all about the schools today. Massachusetts accelerated its plan to vaccinate teachers one day after President Joe Biden challenged states to prioritize them. Meanwhile, the state education commissioner is seeking emergency authorization that would help force more districts in-person.
• In Worcester schools, when students do come back, police officers might not be there.
• One construction worker is dead and another critically injured after a stairwell collapse in an East Cambridge parking lot.

Scroll down for those and other stories Patch has been covering in Massachusetts today.

Wednesday’s Top Story

A full-time return to in-person learning looks to have gotten a whole lot closer Wednesday.
Educators across Massachusetts will be able to book COVID-19 vaccine appointments starting next week, news that comes on the heels of CVS opening appointments to teachers overnight.
Gov. Charlie Baker, acting under pressure from teachers' unions, parents, state lawmakers and now the president himself, announced all educators would be able to book appointments on the state website beginning March 11.

Shortly after Baker's announcement, the State House News Service reported the state Board of Education will vote this week on whether to grant the state education commissioner emergency authority to determine when hybrid and remote models will no longer count towards required student learning time hours.

Read the full story.

Nearby News

• Retired Arlington Cop Honored By Alma Mater In Cancer Battle: Saint Anselm College is dedicating its upcoming hockey season to Lt. Dan Kelly, a former team captain.
• Roads, Parks, Schools Prioritized In Medford's 6-Year Plan: The city last week released its first Capital Improvement Plan, which provides a financial framework for 123 projects.
• Mike & Patty's Is Coming To Somerville: The nationally recognized sandwich shop will have its grand opening at Bow Market this weekend.
• Reading Sets Another Vaccine Clinic For Eligible Residents: The town will hold a small clinic for 21 residents Friday, March 5.

Today’s Other Top Stories In Massachusetts

Expelling the police?: The Worcester City Council took a first swing at a package of police reforms proposed by the city manager including an initial vote on a recommendation to remove school police officers. In a 6-5 vote, the Council sent that item to committee for further debate.

Construction worker dies in stairwell collapse: One construction worker is dead and another critically injured after the stairwell they working on collapsed in an East Cambridge parking garage. The workers were restoring the stairwell when it collapsed, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan's office said.

Looser restrictions pumping up gym owner: Nearly a year into the coronavirus health crisis — and seven months after his two Mass. Blink Fitness locations reopened in Beverly and Medford — Steve Stabile is starting to see some older, familiar faces once again. "Now that they've gotten vaccinated, they feel more comfortable and are excited to get back to the gym," he said. "They missed it."

They Said It

"The reporting party informed the officers this frightened her and pointed out the alleged Satan."
— Transit police talking about an Orange Line rider who claimed his "I am Satan" message to a fellow rider was actually a pickup attempt.

By The Numbers

32 — That's how many years Darrell Jones spent in prison for a 1985 murder he didn't commit. Now Jones is suing the City of Brockton, its police department and nearly 20 former police officers.

Other local stories

• Lemonheads' Dando Plays Surprise Performance At Falmouth Store
• Salem Driver Charged In Death Of Police Officer Pleads Not Guilty
• Middlesex League Says State Education Plan Lacks Guidance
• As Town Moves To Buy, Milford Water Co. Valued At $66.3 Million