Hatfield School Committee Votes 4-1 to Make Masks Optional Starting March 14

HATFIELD — March 9, 2022 — Hatfield School Committee votes 4-1 to make masks optional in schools effective March 14. Chair Rebecca Bench led the March 9 meeting at which the committee approved a revised version of its EBC Supplemental COVID policy, removing the mandatory face-covering requirement while retaining masking rules in nurses' offices and for students returning after a positive COVID-19 test. One member cast the dissenting vote, citing specific concern about unvaccinated preschool-age children who cannot yet receive the vaccine. The committee also voted unanimously to participate in school choice for fiscal year 2023 with openings across most grade levels, setting an application deadline of April 15 and directing the administration to launch a social-media-driven recruitment campaign March 15; exact seat counts by grade will be set at the April 13 meeting. In a separate unanimous vote, the committee approved the location of a fundraising-supported three-foot stone marker to be installed at the Judy Strong Field honoring the late Smith Academy alumna and field hockey coach.