Worcester School Committee stands by decision to extend remote learning, will respond to letter from state education officials
Members of the Worcester School Committee on Thursday night stood by a decision to extend remote learning during the pandemic, as the district administration works to respond to a request for more information from Massachusetts education officials.
Superintendent Maureen Binienda told committee members during Thursday’s meeting that the district received a letter from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education seeking more information about when students are expected to return to classrooms. Other districts that are using online learning models also got a letter, Binienda said.
Last month, the committee voted to push back the start of a hybrid learning model as updates to school HVAC systems were ongoing. Members had vowed to not bring back students until buildings are safe, and also noted rising coronavirus rates in the community, which continue to increase. Students with the highest level of needs are slated to return to school buildings on Jan.