UPDATE: Johnson City Schools to open with all-online instruction for three weeks

Superintendent of Johnson City Schools Steve Barnett said his system is taking a precautionary step by choosing to make the first three weeks of schools online only.

Barnett made the announcement Tuesday as they prepare for opening day on Aug. 10, saying there’s no perfect solution for in-school learning at this point but obtaining staff and student safety is the main goal.

The board of education and the superintendent will reevaluate community COVID-19 spread cases on Aug. 31 to determine the next step for instruction.

Here is the statement released by Barnett on Tuesday:

Johnson City Schools will start the 2020-2021 school year with full remote instruction for all students on August 10. This model will continue for the first three weeks of the school year with in-person learners planning to report on August 31. The situation will be re-evaluated before August 31 to determine the best path forward. The school district had already prepared full-time remote learning options for families who preferred their children not return to in-person learning on August 10.

“There is no perfect solution for how to provide in-person instruction while also providing a 100% guarantee of safety for all students and staff members given the current community COVID-19 cases,” said Steve Barnett, Superintendent of Schools. “We are choosing to start remotely as a precautionary measure. Our priority remains to open schools for in-person learning when it is safe. All schools are in the process of organizing instructional materials and devices for deployment to students.”

According to Barnett, the district is committed to providing a robust remote learning experience with students being responsible for classwork and assignments. Teachers will, daily, engage with students through live meetings and through various digital educational platforms. Teachers will take attendance and assign grades for student work. The district will use learning management systems and email to communicate with students and families.

More information will be provided on the district’s web site and through School Messenger in the coming days.

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