New Hope-Solebury Schools Push Back In-Person Classes

NEW HOPE, PA — Less than two weeks after approving a plan that would have had most students back at school in early September, the New Hope-Solebury school board has pushed that date back due to coronavirus concerns.

At a special meeting Wednesday evening, the district's board voted to make New Hope-Solebury classes virtual through at least Nov. 6. The school district's administration had recommended that board members approve the plan.

A further decision on when in-person learning is able to resume will be made at some point before Nov. 6 under the plan.

On July 30, the school board approved a plan that would have returned all students and staff to five-day, in-person instruction when school opens on Sept. 8. That plan would have allowed parents of students who didn't want to do that to enroll them in a new, virtual school for the entire year.

New Hope-Solebury is one of several Bucks County school districts reconsidering reopening plans due to health concerns for students, teachers and staff as the coronavirus pandemic lingers on.

Pennsbury and Central Bucks school districts are both also reworking plans and delaying in-person schooling amid mounting health and staffing concerns.

The New Hope-Solebury Board of School Directors will meet virtually at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to consider the changes.