Some more school districts are moving to offer in-person learning options later this month—even as Delaware’s COVID-19 cases numbers trend up.
At the start of the school year, districts and charters were given the option to open school entirely online or use a hybrid of online and in-person learning. There are currently six districts and 10 charter schools statewide offering an in-person option.
And state Education Secretary Dr. Susan Bunting says four more districts add an in-person element later this month. She says districts with in-person options have been mostly successful implementing plans that keep students safe.
“It’s working for those who have approached it with a lot of thought and cautions in place, and we are seeing additional students rolling in every week,” said Bunting.
The Delaware Department of Education reports 76 cases of coronavirus among students, faculty and staff at all childcare, public and private schools statewide. And Public health officials say the state will soon offer regular data updates on the number of positive coronavirus tests among students, faculty and staff.
Delaware’s coronavirus metrics are trending up with an average of more than 139 new cases per day and more than eight percent of people tested coming back positive.
Gov. John Carney says all districts are working towards a safe reopening. He says the decisions are largely based on how many parents want an in-person option.
“So they’ve got to do the math—how do you fit the children three to six feet apart in classrooms?” asked Carney. “So that's what they’re struggling with now and it’s why each district is a little bit different, because their parent populations are a little bit different in terms of their desire for in-person or not.”
Schools are required to notify families in some way of any COVID cases in their buildings.
Bunting also says about 340 families have been approved for WiFi upgrades to through CARES Act funding to assist with remote learning.
