Council Rock Finalizes Fall Plans: Online Start, Hybrid Option

NEWTOWN, PA — After a six-hour marathon school board meeting that began Thursday and went into Friday morning, the Council Rock School Board finalized its plans for fall learning.

Voting just before 2 a.m., the Council Rock School Board approved a plan that will offer families a choice of hybrid or online learning, with an online start for all students.

The plan, which was the administration's recommendation, passed on a 5 to 4 vote, after several board members unsuccessfully pushed to offer a five-day option at the elementary level.

Under the approved plan, families can pick from hybrid learning or all virtual. The start of school will be delayed by four days to allow for staff training.

Then on Sept. 8 through Sept. 25, all students will utilize virtual learning. Starting Sept. 29, students who elect the hybrid model will resume some in-school instruction.

Board member Kristen Marcell's motion to support a plan similar to that passed this week by the Central Bucks School District failed, after several others expressed reservations related to student and teacher safety. The Central Bucks School District is offering a hybrid or online model for all grade levels, as well as a five-day traditional model for elementary students.

Marcell noted that virtual learning "is far from a perfect solution" and said families in the district deserve a choice. She also cited concerns about social growth and emotional well-being for students.

"Safety is of course paramount and it needs to be," Marcell said. "But not knowing if our students will actually be in the buildings by the end of September is troubling to me."

Board member Ed Salamon, who supported Marcell's motion for the five-day elementary option, said he has concerns about children falling behind with learning. "These kids at the elementary level are going to struggle," Salamon said, calling the plan backed by the administration "shortsighted."

Michael Thorwart, who voted against Marcell's motion and in support of the hybrid and online option, said while the administration's plan is the best approach right now, he does not support it for the entirety of the year.

"I do not think we can continue hybrid for an entire school year," he said, adding a coronavirus vaccine is far off and the disease is something schools will have to "learn to live with."

Board President Andy Block voted for the administration-backed plan, calling it practical and safe.

The final vote for the administration's plan for a hybrid/online program with a delayed start was 5-4, with Ed Salamon, Mark Byelich, Kristen Marcell, and Joseph Hidalgo opposing.

The full video from the meeting can be viewed here.