Melrose Schools Testing Program Gets State Extension

The state will be funding the pooled testing program utilized by Melrose Public Schools for a bit longer.

State education officials announced Monday the funding will be extended three more weeks through April 18. The initial funding window only ran through March 28, when any schools and districts wishing to continue testing would have to pay for it on their own.

The extension is a big deal for Melrose, which is pushing to bring all students back to full-time in-person learning by June. Testing is an important piece of the puzzle.

"This is exciting news," Superintendent Julie Kukenberger said. "The Mayor and I have both been advocating for this extension."

As of Tuesday morning, the 191 pooled samples tested from Melrose have come back negative for the coronavirus. But that peace of mind has been tempered by a low participation rate — the district only has been given consent by about a third of eligible students and staff.

"We continue to encourage more families and educators to consent and participate in the pooled testing programs," Kukenberger said. "The more people who participate, the better understanding we will have about COVID-19 in our community."

Melrose uses the state funding to pay for testing at all of its schools except the Franklin, which uses a different service for preschoolers. The district has also had to spend about $7,500 for personal protective equipment and safety supplied for nurses performing the testing.

"Our nurses and principals have taken on this logistical challenge with grace and expediency, implementing the program within days of us finding out who our partner vendor was," Kukenberger said.

More than 170 schools and districts across Massachusetts have signed up for the program, which was announced in January.