Published: 1/27/2021 8:35:51 PM
GOSHEN — The Goshen Select Board is backing an effort by a Chesterfield resident to get teachers and staff at New Hingham Regional Elementary School vaccinated on an earlier schedule.
The board voted unanimously to send a letter to local legislators in support of advancing the COVID-19 vaccination schedule for in-person teachers and staff. New Hingham Regional Elementary School has been educating students fully in-person since October.
“They decided to do this, based on the staff and school committee’s belief that school conducted in-person is far better for the students’ education and well-being,” reads a statement provided by Select Board Chairwoman Angela Otis. “As a result, they are taking risks during this pandemic to be in the classroom.”
Goshen’s decision follows a vote last week by the Chesterfield Select Board to draft a letter in support of an effort by Chesterfield-Goshen Regional School Committee Member Geoffrey Gougeon to get staff and teachers at New Hingham vaccinated alongside first responders, who are currently being vaccinated. Gougeon will be receiving Goshen’s letter of support as well.
K-12 employees are set to be vaccinated in Phase 2 of the state’s vaccine rollout, which is scheduled to begin in February.
Gougeon also has secured letters of support from Hampshire Regional School District Interim Superintendent Michael Sullivan and New Hingham Regional Elementary School Principal Jesse McMillan, and he is planning to send letters backing the change to the Department of Public Health.
“We’re just hopeful,” Gougeon said.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.