Lacey Considers Many Factors Before 2nd Phase Of School Reopening

The Lacey Township School District has much to consider before entering the second phase of reopening for in-person learning, according to Superintendent Dr. Vanessa Clark. The district has faced its greatest challenges implementing remote learning for kindergarten through fourth grade, Clark said at Monday’s school board meeting.

Factors to consider include the upcoming flu season and recent fluctuation in coronavirus cases in Ocean County and beyond, Clark said.

“We don’t know how the pandemic is going to progress,” Clark said. “I’ve said this before: it appears to have some longevity.”

The district held last week its second school reopening discussion forum, which included administrators, board members, staff and parents. They will hold their next reopening meeting Dec. 10 and invite students to discuss their experiences with hybrid and remote learning.

Clark listed several solutions for improving Lacey's virtual education. Students from kindergarten through fourth grade, along with students in other school districts, faced a delay in the delivery of their Chromebooks, Clark said. They expect the devices by late November.

The district also added several more teachers, which the board approved Monday.

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Officials have discussed the future possibility of increasing days students can attend school in-person, which would involve combining cohorts. Students can currently physically attend school two to three days per week under the hybrid model.

"While we know there has been nothing normal about the school year so far," Clark said, "we have been working diligently to make sure instruction is the best it can possibly be."

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