North Hills OKs plan to begin classes online only for first 5 weeks
Students in the North Hills School District will begin the school year with online only classes for at least five weeks before switching to a mix of virtual and in-person instruction.
The school board voted 6-3 on Thursday evening to follow the return-to-school plan recommended by Superintendent Pat Mannarino.
“I never expected to be in this situation for the start of the school year,” Mannarino told the board. “But this virus is alive and active in Allegheny County and in our communities.
“The best place for children to receive their education is in person from our amazing teachers. But we are a large district, and even at a reduced capacity in our most restrictive in-person model, we have large numbers of people congregating our buildings for seven hours a day,” he said.
The superintendent said in-person classes could create a situation where coronavirus can quickly spread “before we know it’s upon us.”
“I know there is a potential for danger,” he said. “And for that danger to turn into disastrous results for our students and staff is a risk I’m not willing to take.”
Board vice president Dee Spade and school directors Katie Poniatowski and Rachel Rennebeck voted against the plan because they favor an option that includes in-person classes to start the school year.
Poniatowski said she does not support the virtual-only return to school because the district is capable of keeping students and staff safe.
“I have complete confidence in the North Hills district that we are able to reopen our schools safely at a reduced capacity to provide our students with in person instruction, which I feel is very important.”
District officials said a decision about adding in-person instruction in October will be made based on the status of the coronavirus pandemic.
Students will attend school in-person for one day during the first week of classes — Aug. 25 to 28 — so they can meet with their teachers, receive a district-issued iPad and pick up textbooks, supplies and other instructional material.
The day on which students will attend school in person is based on their last name. Transportation and lunch will be provided.
Tony LaRussa is a TribLive reporter. A Pittsburgh native, he covers crime and courts in the Alle-Kiski Valley. He can be reached at tlarussa@triblive.com.
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