Massachusetts Coronavirus: Schools Prepare For The Unprecedented

BOSTON, MA — Gov. Charlie Baker's order to close all Massachusetts schools for at least three weeks to curb the spread of coronavirus was praised by educators and administrators Monday, who had initially bee critical by the slow state and federal reaction.

"The state’s decision to close schools throughout the Commonwealth is the right step for students, educators and our communities — though we wish it had been taken when we first called for decisive action," Massachusetts Teachers Association President Merrie Najimy said. "The plan for a three-week closure makes sense, since it provides a level of consistency that we have not yet seen from our state and national leaders. But Massachusetts must prepare to extend the closure as needed while we deal with the consequences of the deadly COVID-19 virus."

As late as Friday, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents had publicly voiced frustration over the lack of clear direction.

"Unfortunately, during the past two weeks, we have received little or no guidance from state and federal organizations, the association said. "In the lack of clear, definitive guidelines, the Superintendents are collaborating to provide leadership during this critical time and to ensure the safety and well being of their communities."

Following Baker's Sunday evening press conference, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education began working with school districts to develop distance learning programs and to make sure vital services offered by schools would still be available during the three-week closure.

Details of those plans are expected in the coming days, but already the state had received a waiver to federal rules that will allow low-income school districts to continue offering food service.

"Although schools must suspend in-person educational operations, staff should be planning for how best to equitably provide alternative access to student learning opportunities during this period and potentially beyond," the Baker administration said in a press release. "Equally important, school personnel should develop plans for ensuring to the greatest extent possible that families have access to essential non-academic services for their children – especially involving special education and food services for students who are most vulnerable."

Schools are still trying to determine what state and federal aide will be available. In Medford, for example, the school system plans to continue paying hourly employees during the closure, according to School Committee Vice Chairman Paul Ruseau.

The district is "keeping track of all the spending that we're doing, hopefully there will be federal and/or state money coming to help with that," Ruseau said. But without "any information about what the state or federal governments will provide for assistance, it's hard to know."

Patch staff writer Alex Newman contributed to this report.