BVA parents seek info on COVID-19 guidelines

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

Parents in the Belle Vernon Area School District want answers regarding the district’s health and safety plan so they can make informed decisions for the coming school year.

Parent Missy Bosetti of Rostraver Township said spaces are limited in private schools and for the PA Cyber School, so parents need to make decisions early if they’re looking for alternatives to Belle Vernon Area schools.

“A lot of parents want to know now, not at the beginning of next school year,” Bosetti said.

Superintendent Dr. Michele Dowell said the district was notified Friday by the state Department of Education that mask wearing will be a local issue, not a state mandate next school year. Dowell said guidance has not yet been received regarding social distancing, contact tracing and a host of other issues related to COVID-19.

“The superintendents have asked the PDE to give us information in a timely fashion,” Dowell said.

Another parent, Jodi Bloomwood of Rostraver Township, asked if the students would be socially distanced or masked in order for the district to receive federal money through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. 

Dowell explained that the federal funds are not tied to any specific course of action.

“In order to get ESSER funding, you have to have a health and safety plan,” Dowell said, “but there is not a requirement that you have to do A, B and C to get that money. You just have to have a plan.”

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Wednesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.