Wallingford Reviewing Options For New School Reopening Plans

WALLINGFORD, CT — In light of Gov. Ned Lamont announcing that local school officials will have more flexibility with their reopening plans, Wallingford Superintendent of Schools Salvatore Menzo said the district is “reviewing options.”

Lamont and state Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona said at a news conference Monday the local school districts will now have the option of starting with a hybrid in-person and distance learning plan.

“Receiving the information at the same time as everyone watching on television or listening on the radio, I am still awaiting direct communication from the Commissioner as to this announcement,” Menzo said in an email to parents. “With that said, we are reviewing options within our district and also with surrounding districts.”

One of the most frequently asked questions about the reopening plan, according to Menzo, was why the district wasn’t starting with a hybrid or moderate level plan. Menzo said Lamont and the state Department of Education had determined that all districts were to open at the “Low Level” and local districts couldn’t implement any other level plan.

Menzo said as a result of the new information, there will be a special Board of Education meeting at 6 p.m. on July 30.

“At this meeting, Central Office staff will share the distance learning plan for those families opting to have their students not attend school in-person come the fall,” Menzo said. “We will also provide updates on any information that we may receive from the State Department of Education based on yesterday’s announcement.”

Menzo said the goal is still to survey families starting Aug. 3 on their intent to “send their children to schools in the fall.”

The survey will also ask parents of their intent to use district transportation for students.

The Board of Education recently approved a three-pronged plan with separate protocols based on the rate of the coronavirus transmission. The plan called for students to be back in the classroom on Aug. 31 if the coronavirus transmission rate remains low.