Bernards Schools Go Remote Until October

BASKING RIDGE, NJ—Superintendent Nick Markarian announced on Monday night that Bernards Township schools will not hold in-person instruction until at least Oct. 1.

Under the updated plan, the final draft of which was approved at Monday's board of education meeting, the first day of online instruction will be Thursday, Sept. 3 for all district students. Markarian said the switch to online learning was necessary due to the schools not being in compliance with the state's guidelines for opening in person.

"We want to get back to school as as soon as we possibly can," said Markarian. "We need to take some extra time to take care of the staffing, facilities, and PPE in the most responsible way possible."

The superintendent said that the personnel issues faced by the district include a shortage of qualified substitutes, a problem faced throughout New Jersey. Increased teacher leave requests, partially blamed on a lack of childcare as other districts switch to remote models, could result in dozens of faculty members on leave.

"We generally have 180-200 substitutes working in our district," Markarian said, "right now, we're at about 110."

Facilities problems, including delays in installation of new air filters, hand sanitizer stations, and no-touch hand dryers, are nearly resolved, Markarian said. He noted that the district was still trying to fill six custodian positions, but expressed optimism that staff would be hired in time.

"We believe that throughout the month of September," Markarian said, "we will be able to get in full compliance with the minimum requirements."

The superintendent expressed frustration with seemingly contradictory guidance from the state, as he and other New Jersey administrators spent most of the summer operating under the directive that some in-person school was required. But an executive order issued by Gov. Phil Murphy on Aug. 12 reversed course, leaving teachers, school administrators, and parents upset and confused.

"We're in a situation where expecting the unexpected is the norm," said Markarian. "Having announcements, executive orders, and guidance documents being issued with changes, edits and alterations has become the norm, and we're having to pivot regularly. It's really frustrating."