Hingham parents concerned over back to school mask policy

Aug. 11—Hingham parents expressed concern over what the mask policy will look like this upcoming school year during Monday night's virtual School Committee meeting.

Some advocated for parents to have a choice as to whether their child will wear a mask in school.

"As a Hingham parent, I think optional masks would be a great way to proceed," said one Hingham parent. "I really think that kids need hope going back to the school this year."

Another speaker expressed a similar sentiment, and also said it is "imperative" to have a plan for the upcoming school year that is "children-centric" and considers the impact of COVID-19 specifically in Hingham.

"We need to start the year and try to do this without masks, or making masks optional to allow the kids to have a normal experience, to allow teachers to be able to see the childrens' faces and reactions, to allow students with learning disabilities to have the best chance for success," said another parent.

Others expressed concern for immunocompromised family members of kids in school and students with health conditions that put them at greater risk if they contract COVID-19.

One parent said she is in support of masks being worn in schools by kids up to age 12 to start off the school year to protect those who are immunocompromised, including kids with asthma and other conditions. She said she received a kidney transplant in November and is on immunosuppressants, and if her 11-year-old son contracted COVID-19 and brought it home it would be a "death sentence" for her.

Another speaker said she is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and that the professional association recommends anyone over age two, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask in schools.

"Basically the biggest priority is getting kids back into schools, but we need to do it safely," the speaker said. "And so their reasoning behind it is that there's still a significant portion of the population that's not eligible for a vaccine yet."

School Committee Chair Kerry Ni said they are aware of a Change.org petition created by Hingham parents to keep masks optional in schools and will be "communicating with the community going forward" about when a decision will be made.

School Committee member Jen Benham said there will be an in-person policy subcommittee meeting on Aug. 11 to gain input on various mask policy options being considered.

School Committee members unanimously voted to appoint current Assistant Superintendent Dr. James LaBillois as acting superintendent until a critical shortage waiver is approved for new hire Gary Maestas from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Ni said the waiver is required for the official hiring of Maestas as interim superintendent because he is retired and currently collects a pension.

"We applied for the waiver as soon possible and been in communication with the Department of Education waiver specialist and we expect an answer very soon," Ni said.

Once the waiver is granted, Maestas will take over the role of interim superintendent.

Ni said LaBillois' appointment as acting superintendent was necessary to "keep moving forward as a district" and so that Maestas can enter the role as soon as the waiver is received without an additional School Committee vote.

The next School Committee meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Aug. 23.

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