Masks now optional in Laconia schools

LACONIA — The city's schools are now a mask-optional environment, following a unanimous vote by the School Board on Tuesday night.

Superintendent Steve Tucker brought the proposed policy change to the board, citing a marked drop in local COVID-19 cases. In mid-January, there were 64 cases among the city's school community; that number had fallen to two as of the board meeting. The local trend mirrored what was happening across the state.

Board members agreed to make the change immediately. On Wednesday, both students and staff members had the option to wear masks or go maskless.

Tucker said many chose to exercise that option.

"I’ve been in the schools today, high school and middle school so far, some people are wearing them and some are not," Tucker said around mid-day on Wednesday. "I think there are some people who are very happy about it, and I understand it."

The school year started with masking optional in Laconia schools, but outbreaks and increasing community transmission rates led to a requirement for masking implemented on Sept. 22, 2021.

"We have been following guidelines, our goal has been to keep kids in school and staff working. I don’t think there are a lot of people out there who love masks," Tucker said.

Even with the changes made on Tuesday night, there will be some situations where masks will be required. Federal rules continue to require masks on school buses. Students or staff might be expected to wear a mask if they are recovering from a COVID infection or if there is a case at their home, and Tucker said the district might implement "targeted masking" if there is an outbreak within a class or group.

The change could also be reversed if community transmission spikes again.

"It’s been a challenging issue, we continue to do what we think is best for kids and keep in-person learning going," Tucker said.

(1) comment

Chico Feb 18, 2022 10:14am

I understand people being tired of wearing mask and having to deal with this pandemic, but I've listened to several infectious disease doctors, most think it may be premature to not have children wearing mask in grammar schools based on our low vaccination rate.

I think a lot of this anger is ginned up by anti-vaccination zealots and it's too bad, because the main reason this pandemic has lasted in the United States so long and severe is basically due to the high rate of the unvaccinated, which is irresponsible and the root cause of the problem.

I wear a mask indoors in public places and businesses, until I feel it's safe, I don't need to worry about whether mixed signals are sent out by the CDC or other government officials, I listen to a wide variety of responsible experts and make my own choice to err on safety.

I think Steve Tucker and the School Board is trying to do a good job, with the exception of Dawn Johnson and Laura Dunn, but they are yielding to public pressure by some.