Sparta Schools Relaxes Masking For Its Summer Programs

SPARTA, NJ — With Governor Phil Murphy’s announcement on Monday that districts can choose whether or not masks will be required when students return to school in the fall, the Sparta Township Public Schools' superintendent said masks will likely be optional for students and staff beginning in September, but the district has definitely made them voluntary starting Thursday, for students and staff in the Extended Learning and Extended School Year programs.

The “Spartan Community” learned of the developments in relaxed masking for the summer programs and what’s ahead, in a letter Superintendent of Schools Matthew L. Beck sent out on Tuesday. Beck's letter stated with the guidance the district received after Murphy's announcement, it could relax masking for the summer programs right away.

“Based on the new guidance it is anticipated, barring unforeseen circumstances, that masks will remain optional into and through the 2021-2022 school year,” Beck’s letter also read. “Masks will still be required on buses at all times, as per the current CDC guidelines.”

Beck complimented both the governor and Department of Education for its announcement, for permitting school districts to make their own choice.

“I would like to say that I applaud Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Education for allowing school districts the flexibility to make decisions based on the needs of their respective school communities,” Beck told Patch.

In his letter, Beck said there are details to work through in Murphy’s and Department of Education’s “The Road Forward Health and Safety Guidance for the 2021-2022 School Year” document, which replaces Murphy’s Executive Order 175 from March 2020, as well as protocols used during the 2020-2021 school year.

In the letter, Beck thanked families for their support and told them in the weeks ahead before schools reopen in September, the district’s team plans to create guidelines for the school district that are in sync with the state’s guidance.

“With the latest guidance it is our hope that we can return to learning conditions as near to normal as possible this fall,” Beck wrote.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at jennifer.miller@patch.com.