Saranac Central moves grades three-12 to indefinite remote learning

SARANAC | As Saranac Central School District's capital project continues with unexpected delays, officials have decided to further extend remote learning for older students. In mid-August, citing COVID-19s impact on the massive construction project affecting the district's buildings and grounds, officials pushed back their hybrid model's in-person learning start date until Sept. 21. As construction crews continue working to complete the ongoing projects, Superintendent Javier Perez notified parents Sept. 1 that only pre-K through second grade and select specialized classes will start onsite on Sept. 21. "Grades three through 12 will remain on a remote instruction model until further notice," Perez said in an unexpected email to parents. "I plan to assess our progress after two weeks and decide if it would be appropriate to bring back any more classrooms for in-person instruction under our hybrid model." Perez said the difficult decision was based on ongoing concerns with the project, transportation, students' arrival and dismissal procedures and new data concerning COVID-19's possible impact on school-age children. "As much as I would like to get our students back in our buildings, I think that it could be irresponsible to move too fast with this process," he said. "The idea of phasing in our students will allow me to monitor this ongoing crisis and make the appropriate decisions about returning our students to in-person instruction. I am truly heartbroken to have to make this decision, but believe it is the right decision currently." Perez said administrators will evaluate local data from neighboring school districts as they return to in-person learning before making a decision on Saranac's full return. "If the data supports me speeding up our return to in-person instruction under our hybrid model I will do so at the appropriate time. I still plan to keep moving forward to fully implement our hybrid model." Remote learning is expected to begin for all students on Sept. 9. With the academic year looming, news of the decision caught many parents off guard as some questioned the move and others applauded the extension. More information about the district's reopening plan can be found on the district's website at www.saranac.org.

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Saranac Central moves grades three-12 to indefinite remote learning

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