Plum School District officials have delayed the start of the upcoming school year due to covid-19 concerns.

Superintendent Brendan Hyland announced the change in a letter to parents, which was also posted on the front page of the district’s website Tuesday.

Plum classes for the 2020-21 school year will start Sept. 2.

“The fluidity of the public health situation would most likely necessitate changes to our school reopening plans to maintain the health, safety, and welfare of our students and staff, and to optimize our board approved plans,” Hyland wrote.

The board had approved its reopening plan at a special meeting July 16.

The board is expected to approve the change at its August voting session.

Hyland said the delay will permit the district to continue to monitor the spread of the coronavirus and metrics associated with the virus within the area. It also, he said, will permit families to enjoy vacations without the fear of students having to miss school days because of the state health department’s recommended 14-day quarantine period upon return for those traveling to hot spots.

It also provides administrators and staff more time to plan and react to the ever-changing safety guidelines for schools during the pandemic.

“We appreciate your participation, patience, and understanding as we work together to make this the best school year possible,” Hyland wrote.

District officials had developed plans for red, yellow and green phases — the three tiers in the state’s reopening plan.

Allegheny County is currently in the green phase.

Once in school, students and staff would be required to wear face coverings in the buildings, during transitions and wherever social distancing is not possible. Students would also need to wear masks on buses as part of the plan. Parents are requested to perform temperature and symptom checks on their children prior to sending them to school each day.

Online options are also available for families who do not wish to send their students back to school just yet.

More details about the reopening plan, including a summary and answers to frequently asked questions, is available at pbsd.net.

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