South Brunswick Schools To Reopen As Scheduled: Superintendent

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — South Brunswick schools will reopen for in-person learning on Feb. 1 without any further delays, school Superintendent Scott Feder said.

“I don't see a reason to change it, I don't see anything coming down the pipe,” Feder said during the board of education meeting held on Jan. 21.

The school district was scheduled to return for in-person classes on Jan. 19, but the date was moved to Feb. 1 due to the spike in COVID-19 cases in the township.

For the week of Jan. 3 to 9, South Brunswick reported 107 new COVID-19 cases and seven related deaths – one of their highest since the pandemic.

Read More Here: South Brunswick Reports 107 New COVID-19 Cases, 7 Deaths

The subsequent week, cases were down by 22 percent. “That means we're trending in the right direction for the first time since schools been open," Feder said.

"Actually they were trending down, not up. So that's great news. The expectation is going full steam on Monday, Feb.1.”

South Brunswick was among many New Jersey school districts that pushed back reopening for in-person classes due to COVID-19 spike.

The school district is currently focusing on getting middle and high school students in school buildings for five days, like elementary school students. Feder said the district will modify the schedule to make accommodations.

Beginning Feb. 1 in-person classes will end at 12 p.m. for high school students and 12: 45 p.m. for middle schoolers. The rest of the school day will happen virtually. Feder said this way all students who wish to attend in-person classes will get a chance.

He however put in a caveat. “If for some reason we start getting enormous numbers of kids wanting to be in, due to social distancing requirements, we would not be able to maintain five days a week. We would have to move to a cohort model,” he said.

Feder said for that currently the school district is in “good shape” to accommodate students. “There are a few places where it's (numbers) a little high, but the administration will be working on that. But for the most part, we're in good shape.”

Feder also informed parents and board members that the schools will close if there’s a non-related COVID transmission.

“If we ever have two separate transmissions that are non-related, then schools will have to be closed for two weeks. Well, that means you close the school and then reopen it up after the required quarantine,” he said.

A group of parents in South Brunswick recently wrote to the board and Feder, asking them to consider reopening for in-person classes. Meanwhile many families have opted for virtual learning.

“All I can say is if the governor doesn't shut us down, I really don't expect us to shut down.”

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