BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Public Schools will have a remote start after all.
Through a tweet on Wednesday night, the school district announced a 9 a.m. Thursday news conference at City Hall "to bring the unanimously passed remote opening plan to the public. See you there!"
The Wednesday evening Buffalo School Board meeting began quickly with Superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash announcing a recommendation for a remote-only start to the upcoming school year.
"So between the scientific basis for starting schools in a remote-learning-only environment, and out survey responses from all of our major constituents, we are bringing forward a recommendation to start the year in a remote-only environment," Cash said.
Dr. Cash said after hearing from parents and health professionals, the district rethought its original hybrid proposal, adding that the district is in a much better position than it was in the spring, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, for remote learning.
While internet access remains a problem, Dr. Cash said Buffalo Public Schools will continue distributing hot spots.
The school district is also working with Spectrum to get some 4,000 students connected.
Dr. Cash said testing details are also being worked out, but after four to six weeks of remote instruction, the district will re-evaluate.
"We will need time to train students in the protocols, wearing masks, staying socially distanced throughout the school day and all of the other things, washing hands, and remaining safe to the strictest of guidelines," Dr. Cash said.
"That doesn't just happen if you open up on day one. You need time to train people on those very important safety protocols."
Buffalo Teacher Federation President Phil Rumore told 2 On Your Side that he's pleased with the decision to start remotely but says the district needs to focus more on vulnerable students and include more teacher and parent discussion.