Bloomfield Schools Delay Plan To Reopen, Will Stay All-Online

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Nearly 400 New Jersey school districts have rolled out some type of in-person or hybrid learning plan as they reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic. But until at least January, roughly 6,600 students in Bloomfield won’t be among them.

Earlier this week, Superintendent Salvatore Goncalves announced the district has hit a serious speed bump in its quest to launch its own hybrid model on Nov. 30, after starting the year with all-online classes.

In particular, the local teachers union has been reluctant to support the plan to reopen in Bloomfield, Goncalves said.

Bloomfield’s educators aren’t alone in their concerns. Other teachers unions in Essex County have also expressed doubts about their district’s reopening plans.

• See related article: Teachers Union Worried As Montclair Schools Prepare To Reopen
• See related article: School Reopening Is 'Unsafe,' Essex County Teachers Union Says

Bloomfield teachers will return to the buildings for live instruction on Tuesday, Jan. 19, absent an already approved accommodation. Students will be expected to report for live instruction on Jan. 25 for special education self-contained K-12 and general education pre-K-6, as per the previously proposed hybrid schedule.

Middle and high school information will be forthcoming, Goncalves said.

“Please note that virtual options will continue for all pupils K-12 if elected,” Goncalves noted.

The superintendent said he’s not taking the decision lightly.

“Indeed, I have my own personal frustration regarding this delay because of all the dedication and hard work my team has exhausted in the process to ensure a return to responsible live instruction,” Goncalves said.

According to Goncalves, the district has already spent $600,000 on personal protective equipment in the anticipation of reopening for some in-person classes. But for now, remote learning will continue to the best of the district’s ability, he added.

Goncalves said:

“I understand that our virtual learning plan is not perfect for all grade configurations but with the refinements I have approved over the past seven months, I believe that our plan guarantees a continuance of teaching and learning without the potential of interruption caused by the lack of available instructors for live instruction or the possibility of having to shut down our facilities in light of our cleaning protocols for addressing any confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection in the future.”

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Bloomfield Facebook page. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Sign up for Patch email newsletters.