Superintendents want more state guidance
By CHRISTINE HAINES
chaines@yourmvi.com
School superintendents across the state and across the region are expressing frustration with the guidance coming from state officials.
As local districts develop plans to return to class for the 2020-21 school year, members of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators are saying state guidance has been vague at best.
The superintendents asked for more concrete recommendations from the administration of Gov. Tom Wolf as they make decisions on how, and whether, to welcome students back to the classroom this fall, including what to do if a teacher or student tests positive for the coronavirus.
“No tools have been given to school districts. Guidelines are best practices and suggestions and ideas. They are not specific recommendations,” said Mark DiRocco, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators.
Many school boards across the state plan to vote on their reopening plans in the next week or two, and meetings held to discuss the details have shown the public to be deeply divided on how to proceed.
DiRocco said superintendents and school board members are being asked to make public health decisions for which they have no training or expertise.
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