WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. — The Williamsville Central School District announced Thursday night that it will be moving students in grades 5-12 to a 100% remote learning model, which will begin on Tuesday.
The announcement comes on the heels of a very rocky start of the school year for the district.
The start of the school year was delayed for remote learners in grades 5 through 12 following an announcement five days before the school year started from Superintendent Dr. Scott Martzloff.
Three days later, the School Board voted to place Martzloff on administrative leave and launch an investigation into his conduct during the school reopening process.
The hybrid model of learning will continue for students in grades K-4.
Dr. John McKenna, the District’s Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources who has stepped in as the acting Superintendent of the Williamsville Central School District, offered the district's rationale for the plan.
"It’s easier to conduct hybrid model for the younger students," he said. "But based on curriculum and demands of 5-12 students, fully remote model is feasible and able to execute right now."
Dr. McKenna added that there will be a remote learning support team that will keep parents and families informed.
What about the parents who aren’t as keen to accept decision?
"We are prepared to talk to them," he said.
Nonetheless, groups of parents and students took to the District Office Thursday evening after the virtual meeting to protest this latest decision.
Many parents expressing fears that their kids will fall behind given the difficulty they had adjusting to remotely learning over the summer. Students even took to the main doors pounding and calling for answers, expressing fears that they will fall behind because they learn better in a classroom.
While the K-4 model will remain, including hybrid learning. Dr. McKenna and his team hope to get middle and high school students back into class by the new year.
Families are encouraged to visit the district website for class schedules, technology assistance, and a breakdown of this new model.