Some New Jersey schools won’t be opening their doors in September after all.
On Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy announced flexibility for schools that have “legitimate and documentable reasons” for not reopening.
What happens now?
Districts such as Willingboro — which told the state some of its PPE is back-ordered, among other issues — can begin the school year remotely while working toward a safe reopening at a later date.
But plenty of questions remain. Here’s what we know so far:
The state doesn’t know yet.
The “vast, vast majority” of districts have already submitted hybrid reopening plans that include in-person instruction, said Kevin Dehmer, the state’s interim education commissioner.
Only “a select number” of schools have informed the state they can’t reopen in September, Dehmer said. Yet state officials said they do not have an exact number of schools or students who could be affected.
It could be as simple as not having enough masks or as complicated as needing major HVAC upgrades.
Schools are supposed to complete a checklist on the state Department of Education website saying they can meet more than 40 guidelines for in-person classes. If schools can’t assure the state that they do, they can ask for more time to prepare.
The Department of Education will review plans to see if schools have a justifiable reason for not reopening, Murphy said. The requests will not be rubber-stamped.
“The reasons we asked for these is not to check a box,” Murphy said. “We take these completely seriously.”
No, Murphy said.
Murphy faces increasing pressure to make that call, but he is holding firm that in-person instruction is the best option for kids.
He’s promised not to jeopardize anyone’s health and said he could still change his mind if New Jersey has another COVID-19 outbreak.
“The pandemic dictates the terms,” Murphy said. “Not us mere mortals.”
Murphy said the decision was in response to feedback from school districts.
Besides Willingboro, Jersey City and Bayonne are among the districts that have said they are not ready to reopen.
Elizabeth Public Schools joined that group Monday when it announced it would be impossible to reopen its schools because 375 teachers aren’t willing to teach in person.
Yes, they can resubmit their plans. But the state would be looking for documentable reasons that the districts need to begin the school year remotely, Murphy said.
At least one says it will not.
East Brunswick Superintendent Victor Valeski, a guest speaker at Murphy’s regular coronavirus briefing, said his district is confident in its hybrid schedule for in-person instruction.
The state doesn’t know. The education department is reviewing plans as quickly as it can, Dehmer said.
Yes, that’s the plan. But how long that will take will vary by district and whatever needs improvement.
Willingboro Superintendent Neely Hackett, a guest speaker at Murphy’s briefing, said her district is hoping to reopen its doors Nov. 18, the first day of the second marking period.
All districts that begin the school year remotely will need to choose a target date for reopening and make “a good faith effort” toward meeting that goal, Dehmer said.
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Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com.
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