The Fall River School Committee on Monday night set a date on when the school mask mandate will be lifted and voted to remove the interim tag from Superintendent Maria Pontes.
Following the announcement last week by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to lift the statewide school mask mandate on February 28, the school committee voted to wait two weeks before city students and staff can opt-out of wearing masks. Superintendent Maria Pontes says the decision for the delay was made in consultation with city health officials and employee unions. It is also based on history and next week’s winter break.
Pontes says the district will monitor case rates and make adjustments to the policy if levels spike before March 14. Masks will continue to be required on all school buses per a federal mandate.
Pontes says parents, in general, are supportive of lifting the mask mandate. It also continues the process of returning city schools to a place of normalcy.
The school committee on Monday also voted unanimously to appoint Pontes as the full-time superintendent. Pontes has served in an interim role since July following the resignation last year of Matthew Malone.
Pontes’ appointment is effective until June 30 at which time a new, long-term contract will be negotiated.
Photo courtesy The Herald News
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