The Ridgefield Board of Education has voted to have masks be optional in school when the statewide mandate on face coverings is lifted. 

Superintendent Dr. Susie Da Silva says over 95 percent of the public school district's faculty is vaccinated and many are boosted.  87 percent of Ridgefield students 12 and older have gotten at least a first dose, with the figure slightly lower for those with a 2nd dose.  The number of 5 to 11 year olds who have started the vaccine process is at 57 percent of the school district population. 

The Ridgefield Board of Ed heard from the town's Health Director during their meeting Monday night.  Ed Briggs says he feels comfortable with the level of infection in the school, and the vaccination rates, lifting the mandate at this time.  

The state Departments of Education and Public Health haven't released guidance for districts yet on how to move forward with decisions about whether or not to unmask, or later bring masks back. Da Silva says that doesn't mean they can't look at trends in individual schools or classrooms, noting that it would be irresponsible not to do that.  But she hopes there will be state guidance so they're not making arbitrary decisions, and looking at the same things when making decisions.