Stafford Schools Rescind Plan To Go Remote For 2 Weeks

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — The Stafford schools superintendent rescinded a plan for the district to go remote for two weeks in November. The Stafford Township School District will instead continue to allow in-person learning following the November break.

Superintendent George J. Chidiac announced Tuesday that he rescinded the plan to go remote "based on an overwhelming response from parents and community stakeholders." He also doesn't anticipate any disruption to in-person learning after scheduled breaks in the future.

The superintendent thanked teachers and staff for their role in the "success of our five day, full week, in-person learning model that many other districts could not achieve."

Stafford is one of the few districts in Ocean County that began the school year allowing students to attend in-person five days per week. Families can also have their students learn remotely or through the hybrid model.

Chidiac sent a letter last Thursday originally announcing a plan to go virtual from Nov. 9-20. Officials anticipated staff shortages after the recess because of New Jersey's coronavirus travel advisory.

Several school board members and candidates criticized the initial plan because it didn't go through the board of education. Board Members Deborah Lyons and Gerald Simonelli and candidates Christopher Fritz and Erin Sharkey — all running on the "Community Together Wins" ticket — intended to question school administration on whether going remote was in the best interest of the district.

They commended administrators for rescinding the decision.

"During this process, many unjustly blamed the educators for the schedule modifications and were unfair in their characterization of our teachers," they said. "We renounce any position that vilifies our teachers. We hold educators in high esteem."

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