Council Rock Set For Five-Day Learning Dec. 14

NEWTOWN, PA —Despite rising COVID cases in Bucks County, the Council Rock School Board has approved a return to five-day in-person learning beginning Dec. 14.

The board voted 7-2 at its Thursday meeting to begin full in-person instruction at the elementary level (K-6) on Dec. 14, and at the secondary level (7-12) on Jan. 4.

The move comes as Bucks County has seen a surge in COVID cases, with the department of health reporting 465 new infections from Oct. 25-31, a 22 percent spike over the previous week. The board’s decision also goes against the advice of Superintendent Robert Fraser, who recommended a gradual shift to five-day learning by Feb. 22.

The district reported six new cases at Council Rock High School North this week, along with three cases at area elementary schools. The high school was closed for more than a week in October following a spike in COVID cases, but Fraser said the recent cases did not warrant closing the school a second time.

"None of the students who have tested positive have been at school this week," Fraser said. "This is not one of those times where it's not necessary or appropriate to close the school in spite of the number of cases."

A survey sent out to parents found that 43 percent of parents wanted to return to five-day instruction, with 35 percent supporting the current hybrid model and 20 percent voting for 100 percent virtual learning.

"The numbers reflect that a lot of people want to go back to school," board member Ed Salamon said Thursday. "Unsustainable is a word that's been mentioned. It's getting to that point."

Board member Denise Brooks, who voted against the measure, expressed concern over the health and safety of students, staff and their families.

"I'm not aware of other school districts that are moving toward more aggressive in-person instruction," Brooks said. "The changes I'm aware of are school districts scaling back in response to the virus."

For instance, in Montgomery County, schools with COVID outbreaks are being instructed by county commissioners to shift to fully remote learning.

Board member Joseph Hidalgo, who voted in favor of the measure, expressed frustration that the plan, if implemented, would not allow the hybrid model to stay in place. Superintendent Fraser countered that forcing teachers to manage three different cohorts — five-day, hybrid, and virtual students — would place an unfair burden on staff.

The decision to return to full-time in-person instruction also comes as the district looks to hire nine additional teaching staff amid a district-wide staff shortage, Fraser said.