Melrose parents split on pool testing for COVID in schools Christina Rasmussen / melrose@wickedlocal.com The Mirimus SalivaClear pooled testing program officially began at the Franklin School last week, while the CIC Health pooled testing program will begin at all schools in the district later this month. Melrose Public Schools (MPS) partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to implement the statewide pooled testing program after Gov. Charlie Baker announced free weekly coronavirus testing for public schools last month. In a letter sent to MPS families and staff, Superintendent Julie Kukenberger said MPS was "eager and excited" to implement pooled testing in all eight of the schools in the district. As of Feb. 11, about 2,766 students and 573 staff members have provided consent to pooled testing.