Hybrid Model The 'Preferred Model' For Woburn Schools Reopening

WOBURN, MA — Woburn Public Schools officials currently view a hybrid model as the preferred model for reopening in the fall, Superintendent Matthew Crowley told the School Committee Thursday.

The district is submitting hybrid, in-person and remote models to the state, Friday, as required. But district officials found fully in-person reopening unfeasible while a remote return is the "least favored option," currently.

In all scenarios, some students will be learning remotely. Similarly, in the hybrid model certain high-needs students would attend more days of school in person.

In Woburn's proposed hybrid model, students would be split into two cohorts which each spend two days a week in school and three days learning remotely. Wednesday would likely be remote for all students.

Fully in-person return was viewed as unfeasible due to space constraints, transportation and staffing. About 10 percent of classrooms would not fit students at required distancing, Crowley said.

But plans could change quickly in response to the state of the virus, Crowley noted.

"We're working with clay, not stone," he said.

The district will get feedback from the state by the 7th and will also have to negotiate the plan with unions.

Surveys of both staff and families found that hybrid reopening was most popular, winning over 40 percent of both groups. Remote learning is viewed as the "most robust" model and may be required if there is another major virus outbreak in the area.

Other district officials shared updates and answered questions Thursday on health protocols, IEPs, social-emotional learning, technology and more. The full meeting is available here from the Woburn Public Media Center.

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