School committee approves immediate COVID-19 handbook changes allowing outdoor unmasked activities and normal graduations

The Blackstone-Millville School Committee approved immediate revisions to its COVID-19 handbook that relax several pandemic-era restrictions, including allowing standard outdoor graduations and easing mask and cleaning rules.

During an emergency meeting called to address new state guidance, a committee speaker summarizing updates from the commissioner of education said the state indicated outdoor, in-person graduations may proceed without pods or six-ticket limits, graduates may be handed diplomas, and graduation facilities need only clean high-touch surfaces once per day. "For all intents and purposes we can have a normal graduation this year," the speaker said.

The committee also voted to adopt handbook edits presented by Karen, who outlined specific changes to classroom and building procedures. The handbook now permits sharing of classroom items provided they are cleaned once per day or when visibly soiled; language requiring disinfecting shared laboratory equipment between every use was removed. In policy EBCFA, the committee removed the phrase "on school grounds" and clarified that face coverings are not required outdoors during recess, physical education, youth sports and outdoor learning environments, while adults must continue wearing masks outdoors if distancing cannot be maintained.

Committee members asked how recess grouping and contact tracing would work under the new approach. A committee member voiced concern that unvaccinated children would be unmasked outdoors, noting CDC guidance recommending masks for unvaccinated people. A speaker responded that outdoor transmission is markedly lower and that the commissioner’s health team is working on eliminating quarantine and contact tracing for recess; the committee said it would await final language but approved the handbook pending those updates.

Chair called for a motion to approve the changes; Tara moved and Amanda seconded. Members voted by voice, with multiple "aye" responses, and the chair announced the edits were effective immediately and directed staff to notify the school community and leadership team by email.

The committee also noted updated MIAA rulings affecting youth sports and said the handbook language now covers youth sports masking. The meeting closed after a motion to adjourn passed by voice vote.

The committee did not provide a roll-call vote in the transcript; the changes were adopted by a vocal aye vote and are effective immediately. The committee said it will update handbook language further if the commissioner’s health team issues finalized guidance on recess contact tracing.