COVID-19: ‘This is within our authority,’ Hamilton school board chair says of extended mask mandate

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) chair Dawn Danko told Global News the administration appreciates the many who opted to follow the motion implemented by trustees last week despite the province lifting those rules for learning facilities.

Hamilton’s public school board extends mask mandate to April 1 “They were respectful, they were considerate of others,” Danko told 900 CHML’s Hamilton Today.“We’ve been really focusing in on having a kind environment as we move through this next phase in the pandemic.”Local trustees passed the mask extension during a special meeting on March 16 believing it would reduce COVID-19 infection risks based on past experiences amid the pandemic where schools have seen case spikes following a reopening.The chair told 900 CHML’s Good Morning Hamilton last week that the extra time will allow the board to accommodate students who want to switch to remote learning if they’re not comfortable with the reduced restrictions.The move caught the attention of Education Minister Stephen Lecce, who told trustees in a letter days after that they are required to follow provincial guidelines and expected to nix the extension.Ontario’s Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, recently responded to an HWDSB letter regarding health measures in schools, which was sent on March 11, 2022.Dawn Danko, Chair of the Board, has released a statement in response to the Minister’s letter: https://t.co/4hRidnTMQa pic.twitter.com/jkuEHsmJC3— HWDSB (@HWDSB) March 18, 2022Danko says despite the note, the board is committed to retaining the two-week transition period and says those not able to wear a face covering can make a request for an exemption.“This is within our authority to proceed with this transition.