State Board of Education extends mask requirement for MA public schools

MALDEN, Mass. — The state’s mask requirement has been extended for all public K-12 students, educators, and staff through at least November 1. The announcement was made Monday afternoon when Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley notified school districts in the Commonwealth that he will be extending the mask requirement.

Middle and high schools with 80 percent of their students and staff vaccinated will have the option to lift the mandate by submitting an attestation form to the department on October 15.

“The best interest of students and staff as they return safely to full-time, in-person instruction this fall is at the forefront of my decision. Wearing masks is an important additional measure to keep students in school safely at this time,” said Education Commissioner Riley. “As health conditions evolve, we will continue to work with medical experts to find masking offramps for our youngest students who are not yet eligible for vaccines.”

If a school has already shown proof of vaccination and meets the 80 percent threshold, it may submit the attestation form before October 15 for consideration.

This follows after the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education gave the commissioner the authority to require masks for public school staff and students back in August.

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“Local school districts will have the option to remove masks for middle and high schools that reach this high vaccination rate among students and staff. We know some communities will want to submit verification quickly, and other communities might choose to continue their mask policies for now. This policy allows communities to make the decision at the local level,” said Education Secretary James Peyser.

The department Monday released a policy to districts on how to submit documentation once they reach the 80 percent vaccination threshold and school and district leaders decide to lift the mask requirement. This is rated on a school-by-school basis, not at the district level, and it must include all enrolled students in the building plus any staff regularly providing in-school services, officials say.

Unvaccinated students and staff will still be required to wear masks. The mandate includes exceptions for students who cannot wear a mask due to medical conditions or behavioral needs.

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