Framingham School Committee Votes On Back-To-School Plan

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The Framingham School Committee approved a fall back-to-school plan Wednesday as students and teachers prepare to head back to class amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Framingham students will return in September with all-remote classes at first. Buy the end of October, school officials will decide if it's safe to return to school under a hybrid model, where students attend a mix of in-person and online classes.

The school committee voted on the hybrid plan Wednesday, acknowledging that there are still many details to be worked out. The committee will reconvene on Thursday night to discuss topics like how to fund classes amid a pandemic, and how to train teachers and staff.

Under the hybrid plan prepared by Superintendent Robert Tremblay, students would alternate between one week in class, and one week of remote learning. The district will decide by Oct. 19 whether to begin the hybrid model, with a target start date of Nov. 5.

Tremblay said on Wednesday that the district will consult with the Framingham Board of Health to determine if the hybrid modal can begin in November.

Health officials fear that coronavirus could return during the cold and flu season to levels seen when the virus emerged in Massachusetts in March. Cases have been low this summer in Massachusetts, but hundreds of people are still testing positive for the virus each day — including in Framingham.

Like every other district in the state, Framingham is required to submit three plans by July 31 to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The plans must cover three scenarios: a fully-remote school year, a hybrid year, and a full return to class.