SAD 4 return plan remains unchanged

GUILFORD — The SAD 4 “Safe Return to School Plan” will remain as was approved last month. Masks will still be optional for students per parents’/guardians’ wishes.

Following an emergency school board meeting on Sept. 2, which included a presentation by Northern Light Health staff, Superintendent Kelly MacFadyen posted the following morning on the live feed at www.sad4.org. She wrote the plan has not changed and is still posted on the district website. MacFadyen also said the minutes from the emergency session will be approved at the next regular school meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 14 and will be posted online soon thereafter.

“The medical community has asked for our support in keeping the community safe,” the superintendent wrote. “As a district, we will continue to have open dialog about the best way to support our community and keep students safe while in our schools. This is a fluid process and will be re-visited by the board at least monthly.”

The Safe Return to School Plan was first approved for the start of classes on Sept. 1 for Piscataquis Community Secondary School and Piscataquis Community Elementary School by the school board on Aug. 10.

After discussion between the board and a dozen parents in attendance, the plan was amended to change mask requirements under some higher levels of the community transmission scale from mandatory to optional. School operating procedures are still subject to change per Maine CDC and Department of Education determinations.