Central Valley CSD superintendent Jeremy Rich shared a brief video on Friday, July 31 to share the latest on the district's plans to reopen school in September. The initial plan had called for PK-6 to attend school in-person and 7-12 to learn under a hybrid model of two days in school paired with two day remote.
In the video, he said, "After working diligently this week with the administrative team, looking at the guidance we are being governed by, I was overambitious with thinking we could bring back the 7-12."
"At this point, I need to report to the community that we're not going to be able to, at this point in time, safely bring back our 7-12 students, which means they are going to be virtual."
The change is due to the district's inability to transport students and clean facilities to the standards outlined by the New York State Education Department and the New York State Department of Health.
He said the district struggled to balance the needs of students and employees, as well as the needs of community members who need to go back to work.
He held out a little hope, saying the School Reopening Plan was submitted today and that much could change before fall. He said the district would look for ideas from other schools that could improve the Central Valley plan.
The district is also awaiting Gov. Cuomo's planned announcement next week when he expected announce whether schools will be allowed to bring students back for in-person learning.
In closing, he reinforced the idea that school officials are still working to get students into classrooms in front of their teachers. He, however, asked families not to wait until fall to look for child care options if needed.
"At any given point, daycare may have to be used more or less as we move forward," he said.
Those with questions or concerns about the plan are asked to reach out to Mr. Rich at jrich@cvalleycsd.org or call the district office at 315-894-9934.
Watch the video.