On September 23, superintendent, Mark Toback, spoke at a board of education meeting where he reported data about COVID-19 vaccinations amongst teachers and staff. In the meeting, it was reported that about 87% of teachers and staff have been vaccinated while 153 are not. While there are some who still aren’t vaccinated, Governor Murphy has created a deadline for all school personnel to be vaccinated in less than a month.

Courtesy of tapinto.net, Mark Toback reported, ¨Earlier this year, Governor Murphy signed an executive order requiring all preschool to Grade 12 school personnel to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 18, 2021, or be subject to COVID-19 testing.¨ This order may be at risk for the jobs of those school personnel who do not wish to receive the vaccine. 

The vaccine has always been seen from a political view because receiving it would be an option, now that it’s being implemented as orders and laws, this may cause protests against it because of it previously being a choice. This order may expand amongst students as well to assure complete safety within the building.

In the board meeting prior, taking place on the first day of school, parents, and staff questioned about cases among the district and how many students have the virus. 

Courtesy of tapinto.net,  Toback reported, “There were questions about how many students have COVID,” he said. “Right now there are 110 verified cases among our students.” He added that four of those cases were reported that day, and also mentioned that 110 cases “is a lower number for our situation.”

Although the cases may seem low, schools must follow guidelines such as wearing a mask and avoiding physical contact with students.

“I believe they will decrease because we have mask mandates in place”, says junior John Sees.

There are two board meetings held every month so we’ll know the increase or decrease of vaccinations and cases by then. Based on the laws placed and as well as the assurance of safety, the board of education seems to be doing whatever they can to keep schools open and to prevent virtual learning which has impacted students socially and mentally.