Foxborough Schools Want Exemption From MA Live Instruction Rules

FOXBOROUGH, MA — School officials are trying to get an exemption from new state minimums for in-person learning, arguing it's counterproductive to the interests of students.

The new standards were adopted by the state Board of Education Dec. 15, and are scheduled to take effect Jan. 19. State officials will require at least 35 hours of live instruction over a 10-day period for hybrid models, and 40 hours of instruction for fully remote learning. Any district that fails to meet the requirement or get a waiver is required to make up the time at the end of the school year.

Superintendent Amy Berdos said the district doesn't meet the requirements, but she felt the hybrid model in place now is the best for Foxborough students. At the elementary school level, Foxborough students get 30 hours of live instruction, while middle and high school students get 32 hours.

“I will share with you that there is incredible frustration… based on this information coming out in the last week and now having to come up with a plan in order to meet the new requirements, Berdos told the school committee at its meeting Dec. 22. "We feel strongly, we've had strong parent satisfaction, and with the model, we see that the kids are thriving."

Berdos said she drafted the waiver to send to the state Board of Education, and the School Committee unanimously approved her sending it in.

"I think a waiver is the only way to go at this point, said committee member Tina Belanger," who also pointed out that students attended classes just 32.5 hours per week prior to the coronavirus pandemic.

Board Chair Richard Pearson criticized the state board for taking a "one-size-fits-all" approach and said the current hybrid model has made a difference for students' education.

Berdos said the policy the state approved is under open comment period for the next month until a final vote in February.