More Barnstable School Reopening Not Possible Yet: Superintendent

BARNSTABLE, MA — The state commissioner of education wants to phase-in full in-person learning at all Massachusetts schools, beginning in April, but Barnstable Superintendent Meg Mayo-Brown said that isn't possible in town because of social distancing requirements.

Since Oct. 16, Barnstable Public Schools have been fully in-person for prekindergarten through grade 3, but have used hybrid models for grades 4 through 12. This has remained the case except for temporary remote periods after Thanksgiving and winter vacation to limit potential coronavirus spread from holiday travel and gatherings.

"The primary reason we remain in a hybrid model in grades 4 through 12 is due to our commitment to 6 feet of social distancing," Mayo-Brown said Monday. "It's not possible to fit our entire enrollment in schools and maintain 6 feet of physical distancing."

Mayo-Brown said she doesn't recommend adding more in-person learning because the Centers for Disease Control hasn't adjusted guidance for schools. She said the Massachusetts Department of Public Health also still considers 6 feet for at least 15 minutes a close contact for COVID-19 spread.

Jeffrey Riley, the commissioner of the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education, used recommendations from the World Health Organization and some Massachusetts physicians to guide his new recommendation calling for 3 feet of social distancing in schools. He wants to first focus on elementary schools in April before a phase-in of older students.

According to Mayo-Brown, Riley wants to first focus on the the 28 percent of Massachusetts schools that remain remote-only, but she does anticipate Riley calling for 3 feet of social distancing in all schools.

"If we need to consider an adjustment, as a result of a state mandate, to cause us to adjust our learning models, we will follow the process of working through our Barnstable Public School Steering Committee and consulting with Dr. Katie Rudman (the district physician) to determine the next steps in that case."

Mayo-Brown said the plan is to have all schools fully in-person for the 2021-22 school year, with the hope enough staff will be vaccinated by then to make 3 feet of social distancing or any other protocols more feasible.