Some Students Will Return To Paramus Schools Ahead Of Schedule

PARAMUS, NJ — When a staffing shortage forced Paramus Public Schools to begin the year with a remote learning model, the district set a return to classes for Nov. 9.

However, the district was adamant that some students could return to in-person learning earlier, and they seem to be right about that.

In a letter from Superintendent Sean Adams, he announced the district had begun "transitioning groups of students identified by the district as those in greatest need of in-person learning back into the school buildings" on Sept. 14.

More students will begin cycling into in-person learning on Sept. 28, when pre-kindergarten students will return.

And again, in early October, more students will return ahead of schedule.

On October 5, five weeks earlier than anticipated, the district said all elementary schools will be staffed and prepared for students to return to in-person learning.

"The return of these student groups to in-person learning is due to the tireless efforts of our administrative team and Board of Education in developing creative means of meeting our staffing needs," he wrote.

The district "exercised our statutory right, as per N.J.S.A. 18A:6-7.1c, to provide to the Commissioner of Education the identification of special circumstances that justify the emergent hiring of essential employees," according to Adams.

A successful appeal resulted in a decreased waiting period for NJDOE clearance for certain candidates.

The creative solutions are the result of a drastic increase in staff vacancies over the course of just three days in late August.

In total, 50 district employees either retired, resigned or requested leaves of absence or reassignment.

Read more: Paramus Schools Delay In-Person Start Until November