Multiple School Committee Members Not Ready To Vote On Reopening

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — Two School Committee members said they were not prepared to vote for any reopening plan without more information from the school administration, at the committee's Tuesday meeting.

Committee members read public comments and questions for over five hours at the virtual meeting, Tuesday evening. Members Andrew McDevitt and David Torrisi said they would not vote on any plan without more information.

After hours of questions about the administration's preferred model, a hybrid reopening, members complained that not enough answers had been provided.

"If I had an elementary school aged student, I have no idea if I would put them," McDevitt said, who asked for a "very concise question and answer document."

"I have no intention of voting on a plan on Monday at all," Torrisi said.

Chair Helen Pickard noted that the state cannot force the committee to vote, even though the district is expected to produce a plan on Aug. 10. If the committee does not vote on a plan, or no plan passes, the superintendent will have ask the state for an extension.

"We're committed to answering the questions," Superintendent Gregg Gilligan said.

The administration was due to host an informational workshop Thursday, but no details had been shared as of Thursday afternoon.

The full meeting is available here, from NorthAndoverCAM.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.