Brick Township Public Schools
101 Hendrickson Avenue
Brick, New Jersey 08724
(732)785-3000
www.brickschools.org


PRESS RELEASE


Student-Centered, Teacher-Led
BTPS Advocates for Local Control Regarding Mask Mandate Decision
Brick, New Jersey – This is an open letter to Governor Murphy. The Brick Township Public Schools is
advocating for local control, especially over the issue of mandatory mask wearing in schools. “We weathered the Pandemic with leadership, collaboration, and communication with all stakeholders of the District,” stated Brick Township Public Schools Board of Education President, Ms. Stephanie Wohlrab.


“It’s time for the State to return local control to our District and our community.”
Brick Schools, one of the largest public school districts in New Jersey, has effectively collaborated with teachers, staff, students, parents, and health officials to sustain effective education in their schools in accordance with all State requirements and Governor’s Executive Orders throughout the Pandemic. Brick
Schools’ “Restart Plan” detailed four phases of entry providing in-person learning and virtual learning:


Phase I Hybrid Model; Phase II 4-Days Per Week In-Person Early Dismissal; Phase III 5-Days Per Week
Early Dismissal; and lastly, Phase IV Full-Day 5-Days Per Week In-Person. This iterative approach with staging different populations by grade levels has proven effective.


Brick Schools continue to move forward aggressively, yet safely, adhering to all parameters and requirements of the NJDOE, NJDOH, and the Governor’s Office; as we have since the start of the Pandemic. This takes substantial effort, patience, and sacrifice from our students, parents, and staff. As of June 1, BTPS will be back in-person full-day/5-days per week.
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The vast majority of Brick Schools staff has been vaccinated, and continue to be diligent with practicing the most up-to-date NJDOE/NJDOH/CDC-recommended protocols.

As has been the case, Brick Schools
has operated in compliance with all State mandates. However, Brick Schools now believes that we are at
the point when the State masks mandate at schools should be responsibly re-evaluated and left up to local decision-making.


“At all times, the District proceeded forward, with an eye on the data from the CDC, NJDOH, OCHD, and NJDOE, to ensure the health and safety of all involved while facilitating the best education possible for our students,” states Dr. Farrell, Superintendent of Schools for the Brick Township Public School District.

“This evidence-based process, aligned to the data from the NJ COVID-19 NJ Risk Matrix,
provides us the confidence that in Brick Township, our students will be best-served by the State providing us with the ability to, as a District, responsibly evaluate and implement mask-wearing protocols for staff and students. I will always advocate for what I believe is in the best interest of our students and staff in
Brick, while understanding our obligations as a public school district to continue to follow regulations and guidelines”.