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As the state opens up after the first wave of the pandemic, Vermont’s school districts have been given the go-ahead to offer in-person summer school and enrichment. But many administrators are choosing to stay closed because of inadequate planning time and a lack of access to personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies.
Eight superintendents in Rutland and Bennington counties in mid-May announced jointly that their school districts would not offer summer programming in June or July, although they left open the possibility of reopening in August.
“Plans need to be in place immediately despite the fact that guidance and health dynamics continue to shift. Additionally, we are unable to acquire appropriate PPE for students and staff in order to ensure the safety of individuals under all circumstances,” a letter signed by the administrators said.
In the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union, that means enrichment programming typically offered at three elementary schools in partnership with the towns will be canceled, although the local recreation departments will still be able to use the schools’ athletic fields.
Jeanné Collins, superintendent of the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union, says that could put some families in a tough spot, particularly as many summer camps and child care providers opt to stay closed.
“As a parent of a seventh grader, I know it’s difficult,” she said. “But our bottom line was if we cannot provide safe and healthy environments then we can’t do it.”
Even as districts are deciding not to offer enrichment or academic programming, most, if not all, are continuing free meal programs, although delivery options could change.
Collins said her district won’t be able to continue distributing bagged lunches using buses, since doing so in the summer months would cost an extra $7,000 a day. Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union will offer food for free at designated pick-up sites to anyone under 18.
Vermont schools host a variety of programming over the summer months, including remediation and course recovery, as well as camps and enrichment activities in concert with municipal recreation departments. Many special education students also often receive additional services.
The Vermont Agency of Education “supports and encourages school districts to offer summer programming,” agency spokesperson Ted Fisher wrote in an email, and believes it can be done safely if schools follow guidelines from the Department of Health.
But he added that the agency understands “that districts are grappling with unique and unprecedented challenges and may not be able to offer the same range of programming as in previous years, or adapt programming to a remote environment.”
In Winooski, superintendent Sean McMannon said he’s waiting until next week to make the call on summer programming.
In a typical year, the school district offers enrichment activities in partnership with the city for elementary-aged students as well as summer school for students K-5. The Winooski and Burlington school districts also jointly run an enrichment program for middle school students.
McMannon said the jury is out on what the district can offer this summer, although it will probably prioritize summer school for elementary-aged students, which emphasizes literacy and math and also provides students with breakfast and lunch.
The superintendent is keeping an eye on a cluster of coronavirus cases in the city and is in regular communication with the Department of Health. He will defer to health officials on whether the programs can be run safely in his district.
“I’m getting tired of the same descriptors — ‘evolving,’ ‘uncertain.’ But that is where we are,” McMannon said.
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