N.J. gave ‘false hope’ to parents, now special education schools will stay closed, leaders say – NJ.com

A coalition of New Jersey schools serving more than 3,000 special education students will remain closed this summer, saying state guidance for reopening in July is “insufficient” for hosting students with special needs.

The schools, including those from eight county special services districts, said in a statement that the state’s announcement allowing summer school programs to begin next month gave parents “false hope.” The guidance for reopening — issued last week by Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration — came too late and is “general in nature,” the schools said.

The schools will continue to provide remote instruction when possible.

“Children with the most intensive disabilities cannot serve as the test case for whether New Jersey schools can reopen safely,” said Howard Lerner, superintendent of the Bergen County Special Services School District and chairman of the New Jersey Joint Council of County Special Services School Districts.

Many of the students who would be in the extended school year program require 1-on-1 support for feeding, washing, using communication devices and other tasks, making social distancing impossible, Lerner said. Those students may not be able to wear masks for extended periods of time, and in some cases, have medical conditions that physically prevent them from using face coverings.

“We recognize that remote instruction requires tremendous family involvement and commitment, and that all parents, especially working parents, look forward to schools reopening,” Lerner said. “However, our overriding priority must be the safety of our students, their families and our staff, and it is not feasible to reopen schools for this vulnerable student population in July.”

The decision illustrates the myriad logistical challenges of returning to normal in New Jersey without a vaccine for COVID-19. Unlike salons or restaurants, publicly funded schools won’t go out of business if they err on the side of caution. Yet parents of special education students have consistently said their children are in desperate need of services, including physical therapy they normally would receive in school.

Murphy paved the way for schools to reopen last week, saying they can start in-person summer programs July 6. The state told schools to follow the same health guidance it provided for summer camps, including face masks, temperature screenings and staggered arrival and dismissal times.

However, the guidance allows schools to continue with virtual instruction if they cannot meet their academic goals while following necessary safety measures.

Many schools across the state had already planned for virtual instruction this summer. There’s simply not enough time to change course, said Mark Finkelstein, superintendent of the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey.

“Mid-June is too late to start preparing for a July 6 in-person start when we must schedule complex transportation routes, collaborate with local health officials on screening, train staff, retrofit indoor facilities, develop emergency and situational protocols and acquire sufficient personal protective equipment for our staff and those students who can wear it,” he said.

New Jersey private schools for special education appear ready to reopen, however. An organization representing more 130 private schools for students with disabilities wrote to the state on June 5 with a plan to bring students back with a combination of onsite, virtual and in-home programming

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Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.