District Examines Issue of Parental Choice in Reopening Plans
With schools scheduled to reopen this fall, a pivotal question on many parents’ minds, as well as those of District administrators, is what choice will parents have if they don’t feel comfortable sending their children to school? This question has been posed in surveys, discussed on social media, and included in countless dinner table discussions.
Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter recently met (virtually) with the Districts’ PTA Presidents Council to have an extensive discussion on reopening and listen to the wide range of parental concerns. The issue of parental choice remains at the top of that list.
Parents should know that they are being heard and their concerns are being taken into account, as the District awaits clarification on this important issue. In a meeting with area superintendents last week, New York State Senator and Education Committee Chair Shelly B. Mayer indicated that the State Senate had raised the same question regarding parental choice to the Governor’s office. Senator Mayer noted that the Governor would need to make a determination, as it is not clear under the current guidance.
“We understand that this is a major determining factor in parents’ comfort level with the reopening of schools,” said Superintendent Hochreiter. “We agree that it is a pivotal, unresolved area of concern, and we, along with the Senate, are awaiting further clarification so we can keep moving forward with our reopening plans.”