Hybrid Classes Could Start In March, But There's A Catch

Jacob Baumgart
·3 min read

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — School officials delayed in-person instruction again. The Anne Arundel County Board of Education is now targeting a March 1 start to hybrid classes. The board approved the new plan on Thursday, but there's a catch.

The vote does not bind the school system to its targeted start date. If the county's coronavirus metrics are still concerning, the board could further delay hybrid classes.

Board members urged Superintendent George Arlotto to bring back small groups of priority students even sooner. This would include students with special needs, English language learners and those at the county’s Centers of Applied Technology.

The school board also directed Arlotto to:

  • Present a timeline explaining how the reopening plan will be implemented

  • Give an update on the county's reopening status and coronavirus metrics by Feb. 17

  • Identify students who are struggling with online classes so the county can find solutions

Anne Arundel County Public Schools is optimistic about the new timeline, given the state's rollout of the coronavirus vaccine. Gov. Larry Hogan announced Thursday that the state is ready to enter stage 1B of immunization. This is the second of five phases (1A, 1B, 1C, 2 and 3), and it allows teachers and school support staff to get their shots.

"Anne Arundel County Public Schools is working with the Anne Arundel County Department of Health to develop a vaccination plan for school system employees," AACPS said in a Friday press release. "The school system is currently surveying employees to determine if they wish to receive a vaccine and will work with the Department of Health to develop a priority list as soon as possible."

The school board scheduled Thursday's special session after it failed to reach an agreement last week. Officials discussed reopening for about four hours during that meeting. They have read and listened to hundreds of comments from constituents over the past month.

Board members have also gotten regular reopening updates from Arlotto. Additionally, Anne Arundel County Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman has given frequent coronavirus briefings and guidelines.

In October, the school board voted to offer hybrid classes to younger students starting in November. The board reversed that decision before kids returned to the classroom, keeping students online for several more months.

School officials, including Arlotto, previously hoped to advance hybrid classes by the Feb. 2 start of the spring semester. They have since pivoted, as cases are rolling in faster than ever. Local hospitalizations are also nearing a record high.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools on Tuesday requested that students complete a reopening survey. This questionnaire asks families whether their child will continue distance learning or take up hybrid classes when the option is available.

The survey is posted here. It will be open until Sunday at 5 p.m.

To catch up on the latest coronavirus trends in Anne Arundel County, read Patch's latest update.

Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Annapolis newsletters and real-time email alerts.

Timeline (Newest To Oldest):

Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.

This article originally appeared on the Annapolis Patch