| Joanne Cole, NGX |
As MSAD 15 administrators and teachers continue planning for an unprecedented start to the school year, key information is in: families’ preferences. District families were asked to inform the district by August 12 whether they wanted remote-only instruction for their children or wished to follow the district plan, which could include an at-school component.
Families opted for the district plan by a substantial margin, reflecting openness to in-person instruction. Superintendent Craig King told NGX in an email that the split in preference is about 80% requesting the district plan, and 20% requesting the fully remote option. King said the district received “nearly 100% response” from families.
“We are working on creating cohorts for student and teacher assignments to accommodate both choices,” King said.
The district will announce on Monday, August 17, which of three possible instructional approaches it will open school with: in-person at school; a hybrid with students divided into cohorts learning in-person and online on alternate days; or fully remote instruction. Maine schools may open with in-person instruction only if they can do so safely; meeting the applicable detailed and extensive health and safety requirements may depend on student numbers.
King and all district administrators are slated for an all-day work session tomorrow as they prepare for Monday’s decision on how to open, he said.
Today King also sent a status update to the community about athletics and other co-curricular activities. The message in brief: discussions are ongoing between the Maine Principals Association and superintendents’ groups about in-person pre-season activities and fall interscholastic athletics; no decisions have yet been made. Activities for schools’ social, civic, and performing arts groups’ activities are also under discussion. Plans will be shared as they are finalized.
Access Superintendent King’s August 13 letter to the community about athletics and other co-curricular activities here.
