By Jarret Liotta
Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice intends to wait another week before making his recommendation on whether to reopen the elementary schools full time, but he made it clear that staffing in particular could present a formidable resultant challenge.
The Board of Education (BOE) heard updates from Scarice and Suzanne Levasseur, supervisor of health services, Monday night amidst divided opinions from parents.
“It’s a tough spot to be in,” Chair Candice Savin told Scarice, who is gathering feedback from all 1,000 school employees over the next several days, as well as health officials, before making a decision he said would probably come next Monday.
“By the end of the week we’ll certainly be a lot clearer,” he said, noting there were 115 elementary classes that would require safe, appropriate set up—19 of which have 21 or more students.
“I don’t envy having to make that call because I could talk myself into it either way,” said Savin, specifically reminding the public that it was Scarice’s call and not that of the BOE.
“Of course we’re all working together but I just wanted the public to be clear on the process,” she said.
At this time Scarice said he is not looking at a full reopening at the secondary level, owing to the numbers at the combined Bedford Middle School, as well as space considerations at Staples High School.
The hope is that Coleytown Middle School will open some time in December.
“I do think the challenge of 2,000 kids at the high school is certainly imposing,” Scarice said.
“If we do change the model,” from hybrid to full time, “we have to consider that there could be multiple changes that we weren’t anticipating,” he said, including major issues centering on adequate staff and substitutes.
“This is an area that is a big concern with a full reopening,” he said, noting the district is still having trouble hiring new substitutes.
“It could put us in a compromising position to remain fully open,” Scarice said.
John Bayers, director of personnel and general administration, echoed that while they have been able to cope with the smaller situations—in particular four identified cases of COVID-19 in the schools since September and consequent related quarantines—on a larger scale coverage could become insurmountable.
“It is a very significant concern about the ability to staff buildings should we run into an issue where there are multiple quarantines going on, or there could be other issues,” Bayers said, and would necessitate closing entire buildings.
He said the issue didn’t solely involve certified staff, but also support staff, which he said “are really also what make these buildings work.”
Scarice said staff has been exemplary in its ability to be flexible in coping with changes, but noted, “As we stretch, that elasticity has a chance of breaking.”
Bayers reported that, since noon today, 346 replies have already been received from staff members to what Scarice emphasized was not a survey, but an informal questionnaire regarding progress with mitigating measures, safety, and school operations.
BOE member Liz Heyer suggested that staff responses may not be reliable, as individuals could be bringing their own agendas to the questions.
“There could be inherent bias,” she said, later adding she didn’t mean to imply that they would out-and-out lie.
“I think our staff will be professional and give us very honest answers,” Scarice said, noting he felt it was important to include them.
“I think it’s critical that all the folks in the system … certainly feels that they had a voice in shaping that narrative,” he said.
Other BOE members indicated favoring a full opening, citing several area districts that have full-time in-person elementary and have not reported any virus cases.
“I do want to think about the high school as well,” said Vice Chair Jeannie Smith, noting the square footage of Staples “is tremendous.”
“I just want to be thinking about the kids and what we want them to get to have,” she said, also suggesting the middle schools reopen full time in December, after CMS has moved back.
“This is not a done deal,” Scarice said of the decision either way, explaining that along with staff input, they’ll be looking at the virus numbers in the town, county, and state.
Levasseur provided the BOE with an update on virus protocol and the latest numbers.
“They all continue to be in the low category, (but) they certainly are trending higher,” she said.
“The good news is that our mitigating measures continue to seem to work,” she said, “We are not seeing transmission in schools.”
“We do have students and staff that are in quarantine (but) these are from mostly outside exposures,” Levasseur said.
Several members of the public commented on the issue, both for and against a full-time in-person reopening for elementary.
“I would strenuously urge you not to go to a full-day schedule,” said parent Melissa Alexander, noting there are still risk factors among younger children.
“Children can and do get Covid,” she said, “and on occasion this can be severe and even life-threatening.”
Parent Steven Seltzer, meanwhile, cited “irrational fear.”
“Since other towns are open, what is concerning about Westport? … Why would there be a need for three weeks more of data?” he said.
In relation to the competing opinions—as well as imminent input from staff—Scarice said it would all add to the decision he would ultimately make alone.
“This is not a referendum … It’s a judgment call,” he said.
“This is a decision that’s going to be made on health and safety factors and what we believe is best for kids,” he said.
