NORTHFIELD — The Pioneer Valley Regional School District School Committee approved a face covering policy for the 2020 to 2021 school year during its Thursday meeting.
The policy will require a face covering that covers the nose and mouth be worn by all individuals in school buildings, on school grounds and on school transportation, even when social distancing is observed. Individuals may be excused from the requirement, provided they have a signed note from their doctor.
School Committee and Policy Subcommittee member Abigail Pratt outlined the policy, which saw some changes from the version discussed the week before.
The biggest change, Pratt said, involved students in first grade and under being “encouraged” rather than “required” to wear a face covering. Another change involved students being required to wear masks in physical education classes, which was not the case in the previous version.
Northfield Elementary School Principal Megan Desmarais asked if students would be required to wear masks outside, during recess. During previous discussions, Desmarais had said recess could serve as a time for mask breaks, as long as students keep a safe social distance. Pratt said the Policy Subcommittee removed the language stating masks would not be required while outside, specifying instead that they can only be removed during designated times outside.
“It says earlier in the document that if you are on school property or transportation, you will be wearing a mask,” Pratt said. “So the mask break should cover the recess mask breaks.”
According to the policy, a student’s face covering is to be provided by the student’s family. Staff members are responsible for providing their own face coverings. However, the school district will supply disposable masks for individuals who arrive at a building, or board school transportation, without one. Visitors in violation of this policy will be denied entry to the school.
The policy will remain in place until rescinded by the School Committee.
In addition to implementing the face covering policy, the School Committee appointed members to a subcommittee to negotiate a transition plan and tuition agreement with Warwick.
Last month, Warwick residents voted during Annual Town Meeting to pursue withdrawing from the Pioneer school district “as expeditiously as possible.” Because Warwick’s Town Meeting was delayed amid the pandemic, and the town wasn’t able to provide the district with a full year’s notice of withdrawal, Warwick Town Coordinator David Young, who is also a School Committee member, said the town will remain in the district for the 2020 to 2021 and 2021 to 2022 school years.
Pioneer Superintendent Jonathan Scagel said he met with the school district’s attorney and the Warwick Selectboard to discuss a transition plan and tuition agreement that would allow Warwick families the option to keep their children enrolled in the Pioneer school district.
The School Committee appointed Michelle Giarusso, who joined the School Committee on Aug. 4, Karen O’Neil and Chair Kristen Gonzalez to engage in negotiations with Warwick.
■The School Committee approved a motion to add the district school nurses to the Pioneer Valley Regional Education Association.
■Committee members approved hiring Melanson accountants as auditors for the upcoming school year.
■The School Committee approved paying an early retirement incentive to Northfield Elementary School Janitor Peter Blake.
Director of Finance Tanya Gaylord said Blake’s original retirement date would have been in October 2021, but he made an early retirement request because his wife is immunocompromised and he was concerned returning to school could pose a health risk for his family.
Desmarais and Scagel thanked Blake for his years of service on behalf of the school, staff members and student families.
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Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.