Marlborough School Committee preps for possible Jan. 15 end of mask mandate

MARLBOROUGH — November 23, 2021 — Marlborough School Committee begins preparing for possible end of state school mask mandate Jan. 15. Superintendent Michael Bergeron reported district COVID cases jumped from 19 to 56 the week of Nov. 17 before falling to 36, and said he will meet with Board of Health Director John Garside and Mayor Arthur Vigeant before bringing discussion points to the Dec. 14 or Jan. 11 meeting. Member Heather Hennessey said the MIAA voted Tuesday to keep masks on for winter sports, calling any earlier change "contradictory" to DESE's in-building requirement. EL enrollment hit 1,340 students — 27.9 percent of the district, up from 14.5 percent in 2014 — likely driving a fiscal 2023 staffing request. The committee approved four budget transfers totaling $66,650 and accepted $11,340 in donations.