Salem Schools To Consider Vaccine Requirement For Staff, Students

Salem MA

11 August, 2021

5:44 PM

Description

SALEM, MA — Salem Public Schools is considering a coronavirus vaccination mandate for staff and eligible students for the upcoming school year. Superintendent Steve Zrike said on the return of his weekly Facebook Live session with the school community on Wednesday that the district is looking into "requiring vaccinations for staff and students in some manner." Zrike said those recommendations could be released within the next two to three days ahead of Monday night's School Committee meeting. The city on Monday released a proposal that states every city and school employee will be required to be vaccinated against the coronavirus or agree to submit to twice-weekly virus testing with Mayor Kim Driscoll saying that the city was working with its unions to implement the proposal. The city is also encouraging private businesses whose employees interact with the public — such as stores and hospitality businesses — to adopt similar vaccination-or-test policies. Zrike said at Monday's special School Committee meeting to adopt the district's indoor masking policy for all to start the school year that he was looking into a similar requirement for any student that wanted to take part in extracurricular activities such as sports, band or drama clubs. "We are trying to look at whatever we can do to incentivize and requiring vaccinations," Zrike said on Wednesday. "We don't want to deny educational opportunities, but we also know the vaccine is essential if we're going to combat the virus and return to as much normalcy as possible." Masks will be required for all Salem Public Schools students and staff — regardless of vaccination status — to start the school year, but physical distancing will not be enforced unless students and staff are on a indoor mask break, indoor eating break, are engaged in performing arts or physical education. Did you find this article useful? Invite a friend to subscribe to Patch. (Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.) More Patch Coverage: Salem School Committee Approves Full Indoor Mask Requirement Masks InSchools For All To Start Year: Superintendent Salem Pushes Strict Testing Mandate For Unvaccinated Employees Peabody Superintendent Praises State's Mask Guidance Allowing District Choice