While school boards across Ontario are looking at their options to bring back masks in the classroom, the Greater Essex County District School Board's hands may be tied.
Chair Alicia Higgison told WindsorNewsToday.ca that the school board doesn't have the power to issue a mandate.
"We have been advised, legally and by the Minister, that school boards do not have the ability to implement or enforce any mask mandate passed at a board trustee level," Higgison explained.
She said only the Ministry of Education or the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit could mandate masking. Premier Doug Ford has deflected questions about it by saying the province's healthcare system can handle hospitalizations, and so far, Higgison said the local health unit hasn't acted.
"I gather that our local health unit doesn't see the need for it right now," said Higgison. "That's what I've heard recently."
The Acting Medical Officer of Health has not issued a letter of instruction mandating masking, but Doctor Shanker Nesathurai has repeatedly indicated a province-wide directive would be helpful.
Absenteeism rates are high, but not so much the public school board or the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board has had to close schools.
"So far, they are below the threshold where it would close a school, which we are supremely grateful for, but it is not without a great deal of maneuvering every single day for staff," Higgison said. "There are hundreds of calls that fly around every morning before I get out of bed that move around staff."
At the Catholic School Board, chair Fulvio Valentinis said student absenteeism has swung between ten and 20 per cent since the province lifted its masking mandate. The board has dived deep into the occasional teacher list to fill the gaps in staffing, but he suggested absenteeism rates appear to be trending downward.
"What we can do as a board of trustees, and what I'm hoping we'll do tonight is really discuss what's happening in our schools and how we can advocate for those realities -- to reflect that back to the Ministry, and I want them to hear from us by letter that we want to see some health measures reimplemented," she said.
Meanwhile, Valentinis said the Catholic board might consider sending a letter to the ministry at its next meeting next Tuesday night.
