Category: COVID-19

Baltimore County Public Schools announced that all school system employees will be required to provide proof of completing their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines. Those who have not been vaccinated or who opt out of sharing their vaccine records with BCPS will be required to complete weekly COVID-19 testing.

“We are creating this requirement to protect the health, safety, and well-being of our students and staff during this continuing pandemic,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “The move is aligned with our commitment to provide in-person instruction throughout the 2021-2022 school year. Vaccination remains the most effective means of preventing COVID-19 transmission. I encourage everyone eligible to get vaccinated.”

Additional details will be shared with employees in a letter from the Office of Health Services.

The decision to require proof of vaccination or weekly testing was made with guidance from Johns Hopkins University and University of Maryland medical experts as well as Baltimore County Health Officer Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch.

Leaders of BCPS bargaining units have been a part of ongoing conversations regarding mitigation strategies and signaled their support for this decision.

“TABCO’s position continues to be a safe reopening based on the science,” said Cindy Sexton, TABCO (Teachers Association of Baltimore County) president. “We support a vaccine mandate, and we can’t wait to see our students in our classrooms.”

“Our collective stance,” said Nick Argyros of BCPSOPE, “is that we feel vaccinations provide a safe and healthy work environment. Mandatory vaccinations would help our staff stay healthy so we can succeed in our business of educating children.”

Jeannette Young, president of Education Support Professionals of Baltimore County (ESPBC), said, “For the past 18 months, ESPBC has based its recommendations and positions on the science and advice of the experts. It is believed that the best way to minimize the spread of COVID-19 is through vaccinations, testing, and masking. This three-pronged approach will allow staff to safely and effectively do their jobs of supporting the students, staff and the community of Baltimore County Public Schools.”

“AFSCME members have been on the front line since day one,” said Bryan Epps, president of AFSCME Local 434. “We are in support of mandating the vaccine and/or the weekly testing. We believe and support following the CDC recommendations and guidance and hope it will curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”

“The Council of Administrative and Supervisory Employees (CASE) supports mandatory vaccinations for staff and weekly testing for staff who are unable to vaccinate,” said William Burke, CASE executive director. “Data confirms that the vaccine is safe and effective and is an important mitigation strategy that will ensure schools will remain open.”

The effort to provide vaccinations to BCPS staff began in March with clinics at the state fairgrounds that were offered throughout the spring. The effort continues with weekly school-located clinics in August. Employees can find the schedule of upcoming clinics at the Baltimore County Department of Health’s Vaccine Hub. In addition, locations throughout the community are providing COVID-19 vaccines.

In addition to required vaccines or testing for staff and universal masking in all BCPS schools, offices, and buildings, BCPS leaders say that the following additional COVID-19 mitigation strategies will be employed for the 2021-2022 school year:

Maintaining physical distancing to the greatest extent possible.
Conducting screening testing to promptly identify cases, clusters, and outbreaks.
Maintaining ventilation settings for maximal outdoor air intake and maximal filtration.
Reinforcing handwashing and respiratory etiquette.
Reinforcing that children and staff should stay home when sick and seek COVID-19 testing if necessary.
Conducting contact tracing for all cases among students and staff, including enforcing
quarantine and isolation to limit spread.
Cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces daily.

Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) will require universal masking for students, staff, and visitors in schools for the Fall of the 2021-22 school year. The current federal order for masks to be worn on school buses will continue.

The Board of Education of Baltimore County will conduct a special meeting on Aug. 3 at 10 a.m. to update the Board and community on universal masking in Baltimore County Public Schools. More information about the special board meeting is forthcoming.

“Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our students, families, and employees,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “Unfortunately, the pandemic continues to impact our community. Universal masking is an important part of our multifaceted approach to mitigate the spread of COVID while keeping schools open for in-person learning.”

“I fully support Dr. Williams’ decision to protect Team BCPS students, staff, and visitors by adopting the latest mask recommendations from the CDC,” said Makeda Scott, chair of the Board of Education of Baltimore County. “As this crisis evolves, what matters most is that we continue to prioritize in-person learning by providing appropriate health and safety guidelines that respond to the latest conditions. I also join leaders across the county in encouraging all citizens aged 12 and over to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

“We want our children REVVed up (ready, excited, vigilant and vaccinated) for the new school year,” said Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch, Baltimore County Health Officer. “Requiring masks is an extra layer of protection for our students, teachers and their families.”

“Protecting the health and well-being of our children and educators is a top priority, especially as we approach the beginning of a new school year. With our youngest children not yet able to be vaccinated and with the growing spread of the Delta variant, it’s critically important we take steps to minimize the spread of Covid-19,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “I applaud the decision by BCPS to adopt the CDC’s latest recommendations, and I encourage every County resident who is eligible to receive a vaccine to do so as soon as possible.”

National experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have recently updated their mask guidelines due to surges in COVID infections and hospitalizations across the nation, as well as a plateau in vaccinations.

The BCPS COVID-19 webpage links to the BCPS data dashboard and related information. Updates are provided as available.

The Baltimore County COVID-19 Vaccine Hub provides access to vaccine appointments, as well as free testing and vaccine statistics and information.

BCPS Board of Education Vice Chair Julie Henn shared information about Baltimore County Public Schools’ plan to lessen their mask policy for students in the 2021-22 school year. Her statement is below

“Updates to BCPS’ Mitigation Plan and Guidance were shared with BCPS staff this afternoon. The full plan will be shared once published.

I have received many questions specifically about masking. The updated plan and guidance includes the following update on mask requirements:

“BCPS supports the right of all staff and students to choose to wear masks for personal safety.

In accordance with the Governor’s order, masks are not required as of July 1, 2021, in any school or office.

“In accordance with the February 1, 2021, CDC order, masks must be worn by all occupants on school buses unless the driver and attendant are alone.

Unvaccinated persons are encouraged to wear masks indoors and outdoors,” Henn said.