Wallingford Closing High Schools, Middle Schools Until January

WALLINGFORD, CT — The Wallingford Board of Education unanimously voted Tuesday night to close the town’s high schools and middle schools for full distance learning until Jan. 19.

Lyman Hall and Sheehan High School were both already scheduled to be closed until Nov. 23 due to a lack of staff to provide in-person instruction because of the continued impact of quarantining. Dag Hammarskjold and Moran middle schools will start their distance learning schedules on Monday.

The school board also approved Superintendent Salvatore Menzo’s recommendation to keep the district’s elementary schools, and special education programs, open for full in-person learning until at least Dec. 18.

Coronavirus cases have been surging in town in recent weeks. There were 57 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Wallingford when schools opened in September. The number jumped to 190 cases in October and there have already been 214 confirmed cases in November (as of Nov. 17) and health officials expect there to be at least 400 cases by the end of the month.

The school district's first confirmed COVID-19 case was reported on Sept. 13 and there have been 77 additional cases since that time, including 28 confirmed student and staff cases in the district from Nov. 9 to Nov. 13.

Menzo called the special meeting on Tuesday to discuss the district’s response to the recent outbreaks in town.

During the marathon meeting, which lasted more than four-and-a half hours and included many submitted comments from the public, Menzo said the data suggests it would be very difficult to keep the middle schools open at this time.

Menzo said that while distance learning doesn’t meet the needs of all students, it “offers consistency for our students and staff.”

Menzo also said that he’s not ready for the town’s elementary schools to go full distance learning.

“I believe that we need to stand committed to keeping the elementary students in district as often as possible,” he said.

The goal, Menzo said, is to keep the elementary schools open until at least Dec. 18 and “if there’s a school that we had to close sooner, like we did with Pond Hill, we’re not afraid to do that.”

“We have to look at what’s best for students,” Menzo said. “We also know the burden that that places on, especially our elementary families, and I’m very cognizant of that. And when I look at the number of students in our elementary schools vs. the students in our middle and high schools, it’s clear the elementary families need their students in school.”

Menzo said that for all students, both socially and emotionally, being in school is important. But for elementary students, “being with their teacher is essential,” Menzo said.

The district is also not seeing the spread of coronavirus cases at the elementary level, compared to the other two levels. Closing the middle and high schools for distance learning will also enable additional staff to help out at the elementary schools.

Menzo said if they get to Dec. 18 with elementary schools still open, families would be informed prior to that date of plans to move to full-distance learning based on ongoing reviews of data.

“I know that these decisions are not necessarily easy for anyone; however, they were made based on the data that we presently have from our schools and community,” Menzo said in a follow-up message to parents on Wednesday. “The goal to keep elementary schools open for as long as possible was echoed by over three quarters of the statements read into public comment. I want to thank all of those who submitted comments offering their ideas and suggestions. We will continue to be committed to doing what is best for students and staff in these challenging times. If the data should shift and there is a need to go remote sooner with elementary schools, parents will be communicated with the most timely manner as possible.

“Thank you again for your continued support. Again, I know this morning may be a bright day for some and a disappointment for others; however, in the end, please trust that these decisions are made taking into consideration the information at hand.

“Now more than ever, we all need to practice the personal mitigation strategies at home and in the community. Trust that with my team, I continue to stand committed and dedicated to the students, families, and staff in Wallingford. Please continue to stay safe and healthy.”