Weston School Committee sets Dec. 6 as earliest mask-optional date for high school

WESTON — November 22, 2021 — Weston School Committee sets Dec. 6 as earliest date for mask-optional high school. The committee voted 5-0 Monday to amend its Nov. 15 mask-optional plan to specify that the policy can take effect no earlier than Dec. 6, contingent on Weston High School recording two consecutive weeks of at least 65 percent pool-testing participation, staying under 10 active cases and showing no in-school spread. Director of Health Services Jamie Gaynor told members "December 6th is a safe date," noting the buffer week after Thanksgiving. Superintendent Mitch Connolly said the high school is 93 percent vaccinated and elementary schools already test near 80 percent, while high school participation has been in the teens. The committee also approved a $420,516.99 warrant and reviewed a draft 2022-23 calendar that opens Aug. 31 and adds Juneteenth as a holiday.