No Mask Mandate, For Now, At Morris Schools For Fall

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Mackey Pendergrast wasn't quite ready to tell kids they could leave their masks at home. But the superintendent said if New Jersey won't enforce a mask mandate come fall, the Morris School District won't either.

Students in New Jersey schools won't be required to wear masks for the 2021-22 school year, but Gov. Phil Murphy left districts with the option to continue requiring face coverings. Read more: No Mask Mandate For NJ Students This Fall, Gov. Murphy Says

But Pendergrast noted at Monday's Board of Education meeting that, according to the state guidance, the Centers for Disease Control will update their guidelines before the school year begins. The New Jersey Department of Health will then revise their guidelines.

The Morris School District will continue following NJDOH guidelines. But that leaves the possibility open for no masks come fall.

"If they follow what the governor says and say there’s not going to be a mask mandate, then there’s not going to be a mask mandate," Pendergrast said. "But let’s see if they still say that in August."

Two people asked officials about the school's fall masking policy at Monday's meeting. One parent advocated for removing the mask mandate and received scattered applause from the crowd of about 30.

Although rare, Murphy has previously announced he would loosen COVID-19 regulations by a certain date, only to delay. After last year's coronavirus lockdown, Murphy initially planned to reopen indoor dining in early July. Then he postponed it indefinitely, citing case spikes in states that reopened indoor dining, which he reopened two months later.

But as it stands, Murphy accelerated New Jersey's timeline for removing masks from daily life. In late May, Murphy had said that New Jersey students and staff likely still be wearing masks when the next school year starts in September while offer wiggle room for high school students and others who already have been vaccinated.

At that time, Murphy did note that most high schoolers will have been long vaccinated by the time the fall arrives because those 16 and older have been able to get vaccinated since the start.

"These documents mark a significant milestone in our battle against COVID-19; an actionable blueprint for the return to full-time, full-day in-person instruction," said Acting Education Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan. "I am hopeful that these resources will empower our school communities to return all students safely to the classroom and ensure that all students, regardless of zip code or circumstance, receive a high-quality education that empowers them to compete for educational and work opportunities in the increasingly global marketplace."

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli reiterated that the best way to ensure schools can reopen safely is for everyone to get vaccinated.

"While this guidance will help schools plan for Fall, the best way to keep schools open and safe is to get vaccinated," Persichilli said. "Now is the time for parents of children between the ages of 12 and 17 to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment to allow enough time for that second shot before school starts."

With reporting from Anthony Bellano/Patch

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