Weston Schools Go Mask-Optional February 28, Budget Trimmed to 2.59 Percent Increase

WESTON — February 15, 2022 — Weston School Committee votes unanimously to lift mask mandate district-wide in two stages. The committee voted 5-0 at its February 15 meeting to make masks optional at the high school, middle school, and Field School beginning February 28, with Country and Woodland elementary schools following on March 7, contingent on the Weston Board of Health rescinding its own order at a February 16 session; the delay at the two elementary schools is required to allow ADA accommodation requests to be submitted and processed, a step already completed at the other three buildings. Superintendent Dr. Mitch Connolly noted district case counts had dropped from a peak of 138 in one week to just six, with only two positives reported in the prior five days. The committee also received a revised FY23 general fund budget from Assistant Superintendent Sherry Matthews showing a 2.59 percent increase — down from 3.3 percent in January — reflecting a $310,928 reduction and a cut of 7.088 full-time equivalent positions with no impact on direct student services. Finance Committee member John Salley, speaking during public comment, said per-pupil spending is up 23.3 percent over the four years since pre-pandemic FY19 — "not gigantically responsible," in his words — a figure the committee is expected to face again before the May town vote.