PITTSBURGH -- The North Hills School District Board of Education voted Thursday night 6-3 to approve superintendent Dr. Patrick Mannarino’s recommendation to begin the 2020-21 school year in the Virtual model as outlined in the district’s approved Phased Reopening Health and Safety Plan. Board Vice President Helen "Dee" Spade and members Katie Poniatowski and Rachael Rennebeck voted against the recommendation in favor of an option with in-person instruction.
Dr. Mannarino said the health, safety and well-being of the students and staff of this district was the driving force behind his recommendation.
"I agree that the best place for children to receive their education is in person with our amazing teachers. But we are a large district, and even at a reduced capacity in our most restrictive in-person model, we have large numbers of people congregating in our buildings for over seven hours each day," he said, "And my gut is telling me 'don’t do it. Don’t put the lives of our students and staff in a compromising position.'"
Instruction will be 100 percent online for at least five weeks through Friday, October 2, with the hope of moving to the district’s Hybrid model on Monday, Oct. 5 if conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic improve.
For the first week of school, Aug. 25-28, students will attend one full day of school in-person as outlined in this presentation and on our website. Full-day virtual instruction will begin for all students on Monday, Aug. 31.
"Despite models and studies, the truth is that we don’t know exactly what will happen when schools reopen,” said Board President Allison Mathis who voted in favor of the Virtual model. “I don’t want our 4,600 children and 600 employees to be guinea pigs. I believe it is our duty as board members to err on the side of caution for the good of our entire community. I believe that the risk of damage to our whole community is greater if we return kids to in-person classrooms at this time."
Mrs. Rennebeck, who has three children in the district, her oldest being a senior, was one of three votes against the recommendation.
"My 'no' is not because this is [my son’s] final year but rather because every year of school to me is a transitional year. I don't believe it will be a good transition to start with virtual learning," said Rennebeck who went on to explain she would’ve liked to see face-to-face instruction to allow students and teachers to build a bond in the event the district moves to the Virtual model later in the school year.
"I have to vote for Hybrid to give the parents the choice of some school time that I believe that our children really need at this time," added Vice President Spade. Complete information will be shared via email with families and posted in detail on our website.