WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. — The Williamsville Central School District released its finalized reopening plans Tuesday afternoon in a letter to families.
The school district says it has made several changes to its K-12 model based on concerns that have been raised during its community forums last week.
Williamsville says it will not provide live synchronous instruction simultaneously to students who are in remote and hybrid settings.
Instead, students that are in groups A (last name A through L) or B (last name M through Z) will receive instruction in-person two days a week. Those students will then have virtual instruction on Wednesday and engage in "independent at-home learning" the other two days.
However, students participating in the "remote online learning model" will receive virtual instruction five days a week. This includes daily live synchronous virtual instruction, as well as asynchronous learning and "independent practice."
Those wishing to select the online learning model must do so by Wednesday.
Over the last several weeks, parents have raised concerns over the district's approach to reopening and lingering unanswered questions.
Jim Sinsabaugh, an IT professional with two children at Heim Elementary School, spoke to 2 On Your Side earlier this week. He said he didn't understand what it taking so long with the district’s reopening plan.
“My boss actually asked what happens if an asteroid comes and hits the data center? How do we get access to our data? These are problems that will probably never happen, but I’ve had to have plans for those since 2006 and it’s very troubling to me that the school district doesn’t have the same types of plans,” Sinsabaugh said.
Jim Sikorski, another Williamsville parent, told 2 On Your Side Wednesday night, "I expected more from somebody in the superintendent's seat. There was a lot of times during the meetings that I felt that because it's not a face-to-face interaction and these are coming over Zoom meetings or questions from the internet, he felt like he didn't have to answer these questions."