Wilmington Schools Plan April Full Return

WILMINGTON, MA — Wilmington school officials are planning to bring elementary school students in full-time April 5 and older students in full-time April 26, Superintendent Glenn Brand said Wednesday.

In a presentation to the School Committee, Brand presented survey and building analysis results and introduced the district's plan for full-time in-person learning.

Due to a recent change in state guidance, elementary schools must go in-person full-time by April 5, and middle schools by April 28. There is not yet a deadline for high school students, but the district is planning to bring them back at the same time as middle school students.

"A School Committee vote is not necessary to adopt the changes because full-time, in-person learning is the default required model," Brand said in his presentation, although the Wilmington Apple reported that the Committee unanimously endorsed the plan.

Under the new state rules, remote learning is only permitted for families that choose it. Surveys went out to families Thursday asking for a binding decision; the survey is due Sunday at 5 p.m.

The district is beginning negotiations with the teachers union Monday, although the state is not giving districts a choice on full in-person learning.

According to survey results, 40.9 percent of staff were against expanding in-person learning, versus just 31.5 percent in favor, with the rest undecided. Among grade 1 to 12 families, 84 percent favored a full return in the spring, rather than waiting until the fall.

The district's plan will require distancing guidelines to be brought down from 6 feet to 3 feet, although six feet will remain the rule for meals and other mask-free times. The new model also requires additional furniture and staff and potential schedule changes, among other obstacles.

If students who are not currently in the hybrid model opt for in-person learning, the district may also need to create new class sections, re-assign students to new teachers or assign students to non-home schools.

Read the full survey results and school-based analysis presentations.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.