Hamilton public school board trustees pass temporary indoor mask policy

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) trustees passed a motion late Monday to implement a temporary, indoor masking requirement in all schools.

But this masking requirement is not mandatory and there are no restrictions for anyone who wants to opt out.

It was a nearly four-hour long meeting on Monday night with the board hearing from three public delegates on the issue. The gallery was filled with viewers waving signs both supporting and opposing masks.

READ MORE: Hamilton’s public school board calls for reinstatement of mask mandate

Several members of the public sat at HWDSB headquarters and watched the meeting. Some of them held signs that read things like “smiles rule, masks drool.”

The first public delegate, Tanya Collins, spoke on behalf of the Equity Network, and told the story of a five-year-old boy with chronic health issues who constantly needs to be on oxygen.

Trustees are currently in recess to review the motion. The Board Meeting should resume in five minutes. Thank you. https://t.co/sR2nfjVWcO

— HWDSB (@HWDSB) December 6, 2022

Jennifer Abbatiello presented next, saying that she recognizes the healthcare system is under intense strain, but that mask mandates cause more problems than they solve.

School board trustees say there will be a “universal masking requirement in all public schools.”

READ MORE: Mask mandates to not return in Ontario schools: education minister

Dawn Danko, the chair of the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, says they chose this no restriction option because the board wanted to focus on education.

She says they created this policy because of the overwhelmed pediatric hospitals, and because the province wasn’t taking action when it came to masking in schools.

Danko says that parents will receive a note from the board explaining the new policy likely early next week.

The policy is up for renewal in January and is meant to be temporary as a surge of viral illnesses in young children is seen in the winter months.

Last month, the board sent a note home to parents recommending that kids start wearing masks in classrooms once again.

The policy won’t be effective immediately and will be up for review in January’s board meeting.