Montclair’s New Task Force Has Big Job: Help Schools Reopen

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair public schools, like other towns in New Jersey, will officially return to all-in-person classes in the fall. And local officials hope a new task force can help forge the pathway forward.

On Monday, Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller and Deputy Mayor Bill Hurlock announced the formation of the new group, which will also examine the effect of the coronavirus pandemic – and remote learning – on local students.

At a news conference, other support for the new task force came from U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (District 11), Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill, and a representative from the office of U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (District 10).

The task force will be chaired by Debra Jennings, a parent, former school board member and longtime education advocate. It will include Superintendent Jonathan Ponds as a member.

The event came on the same day Gov. Phil Murphy announced that the executive order allowing remote learning will be expiring at the end of the current school year, meaning all schools will be returning to in-person instruction for the fall semester.

• See related article: NJ Lifts COVID Travel Advisory, Orders In-Person School Next Year

“It has been 434 days since our state went into lockdown because of COVID-19,” said Spiller, who also serves as president of the New Jersey Education Association.

However, the town has made big leaps forward since then, including reaching a big number: 56 percent of residents fully vaccinated.

“This fall, we have every expectation that our schools will be open for full in-person instruction,” Spiller said.

• See related article: Montclair Coronavirus Update (Vaccine, Case, Death Totals)

Rep. Sherrill said the task force is “a crucial step in making this happen for Montclair students.”

“Now, as Gov. Murphy lifts his executive order allowing for virtual learning, it’s critical Montclair schools are prepared to return to the classroom full-time,” Sherrill said.

“As a mom of four kids, I personally know the overwhelming challenges remote learning has imposed on kids and the toll it has taken on students and their families this school year, Sherrill said.

“I’ve been fighting to get kids and educators back in the classroom safely for months,” the congresswoman stated.

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