All Bucks Co. Schools Planning To Reopen In Fall, Officials Say

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — All Bucks County public schools are currently planning to return to school in the fall, the Bucks County Intermediate Unit said in a statement this week.

The intermediate unit is coordinating with Bucks County's 13 public school districts to plan ahead for the fall, and chart a course for what school will look like amid the coronavirus pandemic.

School buildings have been closed since mid-March due to the virus. This week, Gov. Tom Wolf released guidance for schools to reopen. Part of that guidance mandates that schools have an approved safety plan in place.

School leaders and county officials have been holding regular teleconferencing meeting to plan for a "wide variety of scenarios facing our school communities this summer and fall," the Intermediate Unit said in the news release.

While planning will occur at the county level, district-specific plans must be approved by each local Board of School Directors before schools can reopen.

"As a result of our county’s collaborative planning process, the Health and Safety Plans for each Bucks County's public schools may contain some common elements. However, due to the differences in considerations like district size, geographic location, school design, graduation requirements, and local board policy, each plan will also be unique," the Intermediate Unit said.

The safety plans must encompass several elements, including identifying a pandemic coordinator or team to lead response efforts, state officials said. There must be steps in place to protect high-risk children and staff, as well as processes for monitoring students and staff for symptoms.

The safety plan must also include guidelines for hygiene practices and processes for cleaning and disinfecting. The plan must address the use of face masks, protocols for social distancing, and procedures for restricting large gatherings.

The state Department of Education is planning to release additional guidance throughout the summer as districts prepare for the fall.

You can see specific details on what the school safety plans must encompass here.

RELATED: PA School Reopening Plan Released By Gov. Tom Wolf