Beverly Schools to Go Mask-Optional February 28 as State Mandate Expires

BEVERLY -- February 9, 2022, Beverly schools will go mask-optional February 28 as state mandate expires, superintendent says. Superintendent Dr. Sue Tarachuk told the School Committee at its February 9 hybrid meeting that no formal vote was needed to implement the change, as the district has consistently followed DESE guidance throughout the pandemic; the committee agreed 6-0 on all formal business. Four residents spoke during public comment, most expressing support for lifting the mandate but raising concerns about bullying of students who remain masked or unvaccinated. Member Loren Bisniuk called on administrators to "raise up the empathy level" before February 28. Tarachuk also briefed the committee on a projected $2,567,527, or 24.2 percent, increase in Chapter 70 state aid for FY23, driven largely by 250 additional Beverly students newly certified as low-income, pushing the district into a higher reimbursement tier under the Student Opportunity Act. Earlier in the evening, the curriculum and instruction subcommittee approved three new Advanced Placement courses and a freshman career-readiness course at Beverly High School, voting 6-0.