SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT – 8/11/21
The Gorham School Committee (SC) voted (6-1, Gagnon) to require all students and staff (K-12) to wear masks when school opens this month.
Superintendent Heather Perry presented a Pandemic Operations Plan, “a plan with the goal to make them safe in school and keep them there,” with five days of school for all students. It was developed by the District Leadership Team with input from a local Medical Advisory Committee that includes three doctors and all five school nurses.
The plan follows guidelines from the national and Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Maine Department of Education. There will be ongoing review of the plan with the expectation it will continue through December.
Like last year, masks will not be necessary outside, and teachers will be encouraged to hold as many outdoor classes as possible.
Changes from last school year include less cleaning of hard surfaces, but a continued emphasis on hand washing. Schools will focus less on social distancing, although distancing in cafeterias will still be expected. Air purifiers have been installed in all cafeteria areas.
Fully vaccinated students and staff will not be required to quarantine if they are determined to have come in close contact with someone who tests positive. Parents will be called about vaccine status only if there is a close contact. The district does not have a record of who is or is not vaccinated.
Prior to the SC discussion, several parents and two elementary school students spoke against a mask mandate, believing masking should be an individual choice. They cited low positivity rates for Cumberland County and spoke about negative effects of mask-wearing on children.
One parent spoke in favor of a mandate because “we know these protections work.”
SC members have received many emails, mostly respectful, on both sides of the masking issue. A survey of parents and staff also showed a nearly even split, although three-fourths high school students favored individual choice.
During the discussion, SC members considered all aspects of the plan. There were questions about having different requirements for K-8 students and those at Gorham High
School, because it was assumed most GHS students and staff are vaccinated. Sarah Perkins was conflicted about requiring masking at GHS but said since there is no method for vaccination verification, mask-wearing would be a safe choice. Others agreed and felt this could lead to bullying and peer pressure. Phillip Gagon did not vote for the plan because he believed mask-wearing should be a choice at GHS.
All members except Gagnon supported the plan. They agreed with James Brockman that the experts who had input into the plan had seen all the data and their recommendation should be taken seriously. Brockman said that he assumed staff would be alert to the physiological and psychological effects of masking and help mitigate them.
Stewart McAllister supported the plan because “it can keep kids in school, and the data shows in-person learning is best for children.”
Anne Schools said that the four-day schedule worked in the spring because we took precautions and one can foresee the need in the next few months.
Chairman Darryl Wright said there is no state requirement on masking and as things change the SC will be part of the decision process.
In other business, the SC voted (7-1) to fill three teaching positions and to approve stipends for fall sports coaches. They also voted to send a request to the Town Council to approve a referendum in November for the additional $800,000 needed for the Gorham Middle School HVAC system replacement.
Due to rising costs, the funding voters approved last year is insufficient for the project. The SC approved (5-2, Brockman, Hudson) taking money from the fund balance (approximately $283,000) and the capital reserves ($583,500).
Voters would not be asked for additional funds, just to approve spending this available money for the project.