Tewksbury Families, Teachers Split On Reopening Options

TEWKSBURY, MA — Tewksbury's parents and teachers are sharply split on the best option for fall reopening, Superintendent Chris Malone said in a letter to the community, Thursday.

The vast majority of parents, 92 percent, said they favored full in-person return in response to an initial survey, Malone said. Just a third of teachers, 34 percent, felt that full in-person return would be "the BEST option."

Malone did not say what the teachers' preferred option is.

All districts are required to submit three plans to the state by Friday: remote, in-person and hybrid. A final plan is due Aug. 10.

The Tewksbury School Committee and the district's reopening task force are holding a public workshop Aug. 5, ahead of the Committee's decision the following day.

The task force, which includes the "Town Manager, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Town Health Department medical personnel, parents, administrators, school lead nurse, and union representatives from the teachers/aides, custodians and secretaries," is also facing the following challenges, Malone said:

• Improving the remote learning experience for students and families regardless of the model.
• Ability to provide transportation with COVID-19 restrictions.
• Additional space, personal protective equipment, and medical procedures that will be difficult to adhere to and costly.
• Balancing the specific guidance coming from DESE and the concerns of the Tewksbury Teachers Association.

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