Phoenixville Area School District Sets Date To Vote On Reopening

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Since presenting reopening options in mid-July, Phoenixville Area School District's board will hold a virtual workshop on Aug. 4 then meet again on Aug. 6, when the board expects to approve a reopening plan.

PASD Communications and Community Relations Director Sandra Claus said the Aug. 4 virtual school board meeting will consider comments received by email, as well as feedback from a survey sent out July 29. That survey asked parents: If you had to decide today, what option would you choose for your child's education?

Claus said, "We'll have that information to share with the board."

The Phoenixville Area School District Board will meet again on Thursday, Aug. 6 to vote on a final reopening plan.

PASD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alan Fegley explained in a mid-July video presentation the complexity of the decision. He gave details of the different options and hinted then at the possibility that a 2020-21 school reopening may have to be fully virtual.

Claus said, "It's certainly a strong possibility. We're all looking at the numbers in Chester County, the (coronavirus) cases." She added, "It's a big decision. No one is taking it lightly, and we know whatever way we go, half of the people are going to be happy, half of the people are not going to be happy."

The Aug. 4 and Aug. 6 School Board meetings will be conducted through Zoom and will be shown live on Phantom TV, found on Channel 28 on Comcast and Verizon.

Public comments related to the meetings may be emailed to boardmeeting@pasd.com. The school district asks those sending comments to please include their name, municipality, topic to be addressed, and group affiliation, if applicable. Comments including this information will be read aloud in the Aug. 4 meeting, said Claus.

In forming its reopening options, the PASD has followed guidance from the CDC and the Chester County Health Department.

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