Despite previous plans to implement a hybrid-learning model in the fall, which would allow students to attend in-person classes two days a week, the Salisbury Township school board voted Aug. 19 to commence the 2020-2021 school year virtually, at least through the first marking period.

At the start of the meeting, a public comment period allowed stakeholders, about 280 of them in attendance, to present their opinions regarding agenda items for the evening if desired. Largely, the community railed against the possibility of going fully virtual, backtracking from the hybrid option already in place, with concerns about the potential health and educational damage further virtual-only learning could potentially cause for kids.

Superintendent Dr. Randy Zeigenfuss facilitated a presentation, which included newly received guidance from the state regarding procedures and protocols for schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some parents were wondering why a switch in the learning model would be adopted at such a late date, but the presentation showed the timeline of events that led up to the need to reevaluate the hybrid learning option in Salisbury schools.

On Aug. 6, Gov. Tom Wolf recommended all schools delay sports until Jan. 1, 2021. On Aug. 10, the state released a metrics dashboard designed to allow municipalities to measure where they stand in terms of positivity rates and community spread. Salisbury sits squarely at the moderate level in all areas of the dashboard.

On Aug. 13, the state provided guidance on what to do when cases are confirmed in schools. The recommendation states that if one person in the school tests positive for COVID-19, no school closure is necessary; however, if between two and four students or staff test positive, the school must close between five to seven days. If there are over five confirmed positive cases, a school closure of 14 days is required.

“These closures will affect our ability to keep things consistent,” Associate Superintendent Lynn Fuini-Hetten said.

On Aug. 17, the district received updated guidance on face coverings advocated for their use at all times - even during physical education and music classes.

Zachary Brem, principal of the newly renamed Salisbury Elementary School, told those in attendance that while there is a sense of sadness over the inability to return to in-person school this fall, schooling at this time would look dramatically different from the school left last spring. He asked the community to imagine school without assemblies, students spending virtually all of their time at their desks and staff and children in face coverings at all times except when eating, even if spaced six feet apart.

Kelly Pauling, director of teaching and learning, presented information on improvements to virtual learning for the fall, which will be easier to achieve if the district is not trying to form two different models of education at once. She discussed positive changes such as increased accountability for students and teachers in a virtual setting, additional types of online resources, a more organized and more user-friendly experience, daily tech support and fully fleshed-out plans for students with IEPs and 504s.

While the final vote passed virtual schooling for Salisbury Students in the first marking period at a tally of 8-1, several board members voting yes made clear their disdain for voting in that manner.

The board also discussed the fate of fall sports for Salisbury schools in 2020. Monica Deeb, director of student activities, weighed in, mentioning the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association had not handed down any change or delay to practices, slated to start in the coming weeks.

The board agreed a vote would not be necessary regarding fall sports until an official announcement from PIAA regarding their recommendation was made.