February 28, 2022
Dear Monticello CSD Community and Staff,
The Monticello Central School District Board of Education will be meeting on Tuesday, March 1, at 7 p.m. in the Monticello High School auditorium to consider a revision to the district’s COVID-19 mitigation and prevention plan that will make face coverings optional in MCSD schools, facilities, and—possibly—buses.
This is in response to the Governor’s announcement that the New York State mask mandate for schools will expire on March 2, as well as updated guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control that categorizes Sullivan County as having a “low” community risk level. The CDC’s new model considers “hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area.”
In “low” community risk zones, the CDC only recommends that individuals “stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines,” and “get tested if you have symptoms.” The CDC recommends mask wearing indoors in public in “high” risk zones.
Throughout this pandemic, the district has consistently followed the advisement of county, state, and federal public health agencies in a manner that promotes public health while balancing civil liberties in doing so. While committed to healthy and safe environments for all students and staff, we also recognize that mitigation strategies should adapt with the changing outcomes of COVID-19.
The district provides weekly optional COVID-19 testing for any interested staff member or student, and will continue to test its unvaccinated staff, weekly, consistent with New York State Department of Health guidelines. Schools will notify any close contacts of confirmed in-school COVID-19 cases. We will also continue our daily cleaning protocols, promotion of hand hygiene, and physical distancing when possible.
Finally, we remind all individuals to stay home if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seek testing or care from a health care provider.
More information will be shared following the Board of Education meeting. Please note, however, that masks might be optional in schools as early as March 2.
For more information, please visit our website, www.monticelloschools.net, or contact a school’s main office.
Stay well.
With Monti Pride,
Matthew T. Evans, Ed. D.