Hempfield delays vote on school reopening plans

Hempfield school officials postponed a vote on plans for reopening the district this fall.

Superintendent Tammy Wolicki during Monday’s board meeting attributed the delay to new guidance released by the state Department of Education which give further details on how to safely reopen with specific recommendations on lunch, recess, busing and extracurricular activities.

“I do not view it as major revisions, I view it more as some tweaking,” Wolicki said. “We did have a presentation all set for this meeting but felt it was best to delay.”

Last month, officials announced preliminary reopening plans. The plans call for a phased reopening that would welcome students back to physical locations starting Aug. 27, with staggered schedules dictated by grade level.

Under the initial plans, kindergarten students will attend school on a half-day model. Students in first through fifth grade would be put in smaller classes to promote social distancing. Students in sixth through 12th grades will attend school every other day. On days students are not in school, instruction will be provided virtually.

Board members will vote on plans during the Aug. 10 or 17 meeting. A second town hall meeting also is scheduled for the first week of August. An exact date has not yet been decided.