Portland School Superintendent Xavier Botana is recommending that the Portland Public Schools adopt a “yellow” hybrid scenario for students to safely return to school this fall during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The School Board is expected to vote on his recommendations at its August 18 meeting.

Among his recommendations are that the reopening of school be delayed by two weeks until  September 14th to give teachers and other staff time to prepare for all the safety precautions that must be in place before students enter buildings.  Teachers and staff are expected to return on the original date August 24th.  Last week Governor Mills administration recommended that Maine schools follow a “green” reopening.  That allows for in-person education should local districts opt for that choice.  The green code signifies that the risk of the COVID-19 is relatively low at schools following the recommended health and safety requirements of the state.

Botana is recommending that the Portland Public Schools follow a hybrid plan that would limit the time and stagger the number of students who can attend school in person, depending on grade level.  Some details of the recommended scenario for the various grade levels are as follows in part: Pre-K-5. To start the year, half of the students would attend school in person dtwo days per week and participate remotely three days.  The District is working with community partners to provide before and after school care.  Grades 6 – 8: Half of the students attend school in person two days per week and participate remotely three days.  Grades 9 – 12.  Ninth-graders attend school in person two days per week and participate remotely three days.  Students in grades 10-12 would continue to learn remotely in the morning and would have scheduled access to in-person support for academics, social, emotional needs and extra-curriculum activities in the afternoon.

The Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS) would operate on a hybrid schedule with all students attending in person two days a week and learning remotely the remainder of their schedule.  The Portland Adult Education classes would be mostly remote.

Superintendent Botana will  be presenting his recommendations to the Portland School Board of Education at its 6:00 pm zoom meeting today, August 4th. After the adjournment of its meeting, the Board will hold a public hearing on the plan.  The Board is expected to vote on the recommendations at its August 18 meeting.