District leaders lament 'very poor planning' in Gov. Wolf's decision to close schools

It had taken all day, but finally, the New Kensington-Arnold School District had a plan.

Schools would be closed to students Monday, just Monday, so teachers and administrators could prepare for a potential transition to online learning — a growing possibility as the number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the state rises.

But then, at 3 p.m. Friday, Superintendent John Pallone was back at square one, when Gov. Tom Wolf unexpectedly announced that all schools would be shuttered for the next two weeks.

“It was very poor planning on the part of the highest ranking officials in our state,” Pallone said. “It’s so disingenuous that I’m shocked.”

Little guidance was given at a teleconference Friday morning, which included words from representatives in the state Department of Education, Health and Emergency Management Association. At 9 a.m., the Wolf administration left the decision to close up to individual school districts and offered no guaranteed flexibility to the state’s 180-day requirement for instruction.

“We were just looking for some definitive action,” said Tim Scott, superintendent of Kiski Area School District. “Obviously, we understand that schooling in Pennsylvania is locally controlled, but we also don’t want to be pitting ourselves against one another. It’s nice to have some clear direction.”

The frustration was so potent that state legislators got involved.

“This is beyond irresponsible, because they need vital information and guidance to make the best decision for their schools,” state Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Fayette/Greene/Washington counties, said in a statement.

Most school officials spent the entire day brainstorming among themselves, trying to come up with their own unified approach to the virus. Superintendents in Westmoreland County had decided to close schools to students Monday and Tuesday while administrators prepared for long-term closures.

But at 3 p.m., everything changed — renewing the frustration as school leaders had to backtrack on their plans.

“This is very unusual,” said Tammy Wolicki, superintendent of Hempfield Area. “My parents are going to wonder what’s going on when I just sent them one piece of information and now will have to send out something different.”

In the announcement, Wolf said schools would close for two weeks and that no district would be penalized if it fails to meet the 180-day requirement.

Meals will continue to be served to low-income students during the closure, and the Education Department will work with intermediate units to support any district’s long-term learning plans.

Pallone, at New Kensington-Arnold, said Wolf’s announcement raises more questions than it offers guidance.

“A number of dynamics aren’t addressed in a simple closure notice,” he said.

Wolf’s statement does not name specific steps to be taken in the next two weeks, Pallone said. How will districts move forward with plans for online or distance learning? How will schools remain consistent in the delivery of special education services?

The state Department of Education did not respond to a request for comment.

“Now we are scrambling to put everything in place, and then we still have to regroup to figure out how we’re going to get information,” Pallone said.

District leaders were frustrated by the timing of Wolf’s announcement, even if they found it to be the right move.

Still, there was a sense of relief among many educators that the state will take a unified approach.

“I applaud the governor for making this decision,” said Franklin Regional Superintendent Gennaro Piraino Jr. “It takes courage and foresight. It came a little later than I was hoping. But from this point on, we’ll be considering the same factors Gov. Wolf and his team were considering, and focusing on how we can best support the needs of our students.”

Scott was just about to hit “Send” on a message to the Kiski Area community when he heard of Wolf’s announcement.

“Now we’re just deleting that message and sending another one,” Scott said. “Although the timing is difficult, I was looking for something definitive, and I got it. I’m pleased to have the decision.”