Marlborough Eyes Hybrid School Format By January's End

MARLBOROUGH, MA — The Marlborough School Committee has pushed back a return to hybrid learning again, which means students will be under an all-remote model until near the end of January.

Due to rising coronavirus cases, the Marlborough School Committee on Oct. 19 voted to switch from hybrid to remote classes. The school board voted on Nov. 10 to remain in a remote format until at least Jan. 11.

During a meeting Monday night, the School Committee voted to bring grades 3 to 12 back beginning on Jan. 19. Superintendent Michael Bergeron said the district would notify parents if there would be any further delays.

Coronavirus cases have been rising in Marlborough since August. Marlborough began the school year on Sept. 21 under a hybrid learning model. However, Marlborough High School went fully remote shortly after classes began due to a student testing positive.

As of Monday, Marlborough was adding about 75 new coronavirus cases each day per 100,000 people, and the citywide positive test rate stood at 8.29 percent. The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has not set a standard for when districts should enter either a hybrid or full return to classes during coronavirus.