Berkeley Schools Stalls Reopening Plan Due To 'High Risk' Level

BERKELEY, NJ—The Berkeley School District announced plans to keep the hybrid education program in place until after the holidays. In a letter to parents released Monday, Berkeley Schools Superintendent Dr. James D. Roselli said the large increase in coronavirus cases locally and statewide has impacted parents, students and staff.

Hybrid students were preparing to attend school in-person for five, four-hour days each week starting Nov. 30. Due to increases in coronavirus cases, the district’s reopening plan has been put on hold.

“The health and safety of our students and staff remain our primary concerns. At this time, we will temporarily pause our reopening plan as it would be in direct opposition of what is being recommended by the Department of Health,” Berkeley Schools Superintendent James D. Roselli said in a letter to parents.

“We will reevaluate our reopening plan after the holidays and as information regarding transmission is provided by the Ocean County Department of Health showing we have moved back to the Moderate Risk Level. Until that time, our hybrid program will remain in place.”

Ocean County has moved into the "high risk" level on the New Jersey Department of Health COVID-19 Regional Risk Matrix. The Ocean County Health Department advised that school districts at this level school restrict activities that involve interactions with multiple cohorts.

The administration will meet with the school community to discuss ways to enhance the current educational model after the holiday break.

The Ocean County Health Department has reported 1,175 cases and 106 coronavirus deaths in Berkeley since the pandemic began.

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