Impact Of New Gov Orders On Bernards Twp Schools Is Unclear

BASKING RIDGE, NJ—As the start of the school year looms, Governor Phil Murphy said on Wednesday that districts can opt for all-remote instruction this Fall, a reversal of his previous position that all schools had to offer some in-person classes. Murphy also said that in-person school can resume immediately—with a catch.

"In-person instruction may fully resume immediately should institutions so desire and so long as social distancing among other protections are strictly adhered to," he said.

Districts that cannot meet New Jersey's core standards for in-person school will begin the year with all-remote instruction, the governor said. The state requirements include social distancing, masks, proper ventilation, and other precautions.

Murphy made today's announcement as some school districts, including Elizabeth, defied his previous order and announced remote-only instruction this Fall. The state's teacher's union yesterday called for Murphy to mandate remote-only schooling.

"The question of whether and when to reopen for in-person instruction is first and foremost a public health decision that cannot be left in the hands of nearly 600 individual school districts," said a statement by the New Jersey Education Association. "The stakes are too high, and the consequences of a wrong decision are too grave."

The Bernards Township School District presented its return-to-school plan, a hybrid of online and in-person classes, last month. A survey of parents found that 80 percent want their children attending school in person this fall.

The district superintendent, Nick Markarian, declined to comment on Wednesday, citing the need to speak with health officials first. The township's Return to Instruction Task Force assembled a plan for remote-only learning earlier this Summer.