Dover schools pick mostly remote learning to start year

DOVER — The School Board voted unanimously to approve a “primarily virtual model” for the upcoming school year.

Board Chair Amanda Russell said the model would allow for “a form of in-person instruction for the students who need it the most.”

That would likely include some special needs students, and in some cases, if possible, students taking certain Career Technical Center courses, she and other board members said during Monday’s special board meeting.

The “primarily virtual model” chosen means most Dover students will learn remotely to start the school year as the country continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. This model will be evaluated every three weeks, she said.

The board chose between a totally in-person model for students, a blend of in-person classes twice a week and virtual learning three days a week, and the virtual learning model.

Russell was leaning toward the blended model but decided, “I don’t want to find out if we made the right choice by using our students. I don’t want them on our conscience. We don’t know the ramifications, we don’t know the long-term effects. That terrifies me.”

Board members also talked about the potential of having orientation sessions for at least some students before the restart of school. Administrators will update the board at next Monday’s regular meeting on what that could entail.

The board also committed to continuing discussions about what type of sports and other extracurricular activities they could hold safely.

SEACOAST CORONAVIRUS NEWS IS FREE:This content is being provided for free as a public service to our readers. Sign up for our free daily or breaking email newsletters and Seacoast Health newsletter to stay informed. Please support local journalism by subscribing to Seacoastonline.com or by subscribing to Fosters.com.

Board member Carolyn Mebert noted several board members spent time adjusting their face masks during Monday’s meeting.

“If we adults are fooling around with our masks, think about a 6-year-old wearing a mask,” she said. “It’s just a ridiculous thing to ask of little kids.”

She noted, too,the Seacoa st is still in “tourist season” and added, “I’m concerned we might have a resurgence as a result.”

“My preference is we at least start virtually and do some of the priority services (in person),” Mebert said.

“We don’t want to be responsible for anyone getting sick,” she added. “If we can avoid putting anybody at risk, we should avoid putting anybody at risk.”

School Board member Jessica Rozzo asked administrators to think about how they can support parents in a virtual model.

“There are a lot of single parents that are going to need help,” she said.

But at the same time she stressed the importance of keeping students safe, noting she has a daughter in Dover schools.

“I don’t want to have to explain to her why there’s not certain kids in class anymore,” Rozzo said.

Superintendent William Harbron said a small group of parents are scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss ways to create support for other parents.

He also stressed that the school district “can put all the things in place the best we can” to protect kids.

But there’s times when they’re outside of the school’s influence.

The school district’s first priority is keeping students and staff safe, he said.

“I personally don’t want to be responsible for anybody becoming seriously ill,” he said during Monday’s meeting. “That’s what keeps all of us up at night.”