The Boardman Local Schools Mask Policy has been upgraded to “mandatory” for all students and staff, effective on the first day of classes, Monday, August 30. All visitors to the buildings will also be required to wear masks during the school day. There is no mask requirement outdoors.
      Boardman’s mask policy is in place for the start of the school year, as a proactive measure to help prevent the spread of infection, as well as limit quarantines that greatly disrupt in-person education.
      “We have learned a lot from COVID and its impact on education over the last 18 months. Our parents have expressed, quite clearly, that they want in-person learning 5-days a week and at regular school times,” said Superintendent Tim Saxton.
      “With the release of quarantine guidelines, the only way to greatly reduce students being home for 10 days on quarantine is to have students masked or vaccinated. With under-12 not eligible for a vaccine and only about 40 per cent of students 12-and-over vaccinated, masks are the best defense against a student being sent home and losing valuable in-person instruction.”
      Boardman’s mask policy follows strong recommendations from national, state and local health organizations. The district will monitor and evaluate the policy for the first 20 school days, and revisit this decision toward the end of September.