Monessen won’t offer pandemic-related remote learning in ’21-’22

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

Monessen school officials announced Tuesday the district will not offer remote learning next year to students who want to stay home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Superintendent Dr. Leanne Spazak said the district will only offer five days per week of in-class learning and its cyber option for the 2021-22 school year.

Spazak said having a third remote option puts added strain on teachers.

“They did an awesome job, but it’s just not the best situation for them to do that,” Spazak said. “It’s not fair to have them doing so many things at one time. We’re appreciative that they did that this year and everybody should be thanking them, but it’s just not really the way brick and mortar should be.”

According to Spazak, a letter was sent to parents explaining the decision. Spazak said if parents want to keep their children home and register for the cyber option, they should notify their student’s building principal by July 1.

Spazak said 35% of the district’s students used remote learning 100% of the time this year. Forty-nine students were enrolled in the cyber option.

“We want them to come back,” she said. “I’m hoping we don’t have a mass exodus.”

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