Local elementary school students have a lot to smile about regarding the Center for Disease Controls’ updated Covid-19 protocols. Due to a reduction in coronavirus hospitalizations and cases, the CDC is now advising public schools to make masks optional. On March 7, the Edgecomb School Committee discussed the new recommended protocols set to begin March 9.

Committee members, Heather Sinclair, Arthur Garey and Nichole Price, reached a consensus to continue following CDC guidelines. “I think we should honor the CDC’s recommendation as we have since the pandemic’s beginning.” Sinclair said. “It’s also important to continue respecting everyone’s personal decisions whether they decide to wear a mask or not.”

Two Edgecomb male parents spoke via Zoom conference and voiced their support to follow the new guidelines.

Despite the CDC’s recommendation, Price and Garey preferred a cautious approach to the new protocols. Price has a child, age 4, attending the school’s pre-kindergarten class. She is concerned unvaccinated students are vulnerable without mandatory masking. And while many of Maine’s public schools will follow the new protocol, Price says numbers remain high with cases at 40 per 100,000 of population with the state being at moderate risk.

According to Price, the  CDC calls a low-risk at 14 cases per 100,000. She also reported the Portland School System is taking a more conservative approach toward the new protocol by continuing mandatory masking. As a mother, she is also concerned how the new protocol will impact unvaccinated students like her child. “I’m confused as all heck. I’d love to unmask, but as a parent putting my child at a higher risk keeps me up at night,” she said.

Garey also shared his concerns by recounting his grandson’s school pandemic experience. “My son told me, (grandson) has never seen the other students’ faces. So if you are confused, then I’m totally confused. I’d love to see the kids unmask, but I’m on the fence. I glad I don’t have to vote.” 

Alternative Organization Structure 98 sent parents a letter last month explaining the CDC’s new optional protocol regarding optional masking. But the decision is still a local one, and districts can create their own safety guidelines. Superintendent Robert Kahler said, on March 9, all AOS 98school boards were notified of the new protocols. “As of today, there is optional masking at all AOS 98 schools,” he said.

In other action, the Edgecomb School Committee amended their proposed Fiscal Year 23 budget. After meeting with the municipal budget committee and selectmen last month, school officials changed the proposed budget to better meet local taxpayers’ needs due to recent global events. Kahler reported no changes were made to expenditures. The committee is still proposing a $3,093,380 budget which reflects a 5.8% decrease. 

The committee is now proposing adding $150,000 from undesignated funds to offset local taxes. The committee previously proposed $200,000. The now proposed $350,000 would reduce local taxpayers’ commitment to $2,182,069 which is a 10.3% reduction. 

Teacher Nicole Ellis updated committee members about the sixth grade’s Boston trip. Ellis reported she is searching for chaperones to watch the 17 sixth graders during the one-day field trip. On June 3, the group will carpool to Brunswick to travel by Amtrak to Boston. The trip includes a stop at Museum of Science and a duck boat tour. Students will return to Edgecomb later that night.

Sinclair has a son in Ellis’ class. She reported the class is glad their annual field trip wasn’t cancelled. “They were so happy his classmates started chanting ‘Duck tour, duck tour,’” she said. “This is fantastic, and I’m so glad activities like this are returning. It’s nice to have a bit of normalcy return.”

The committee meets next at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 4.