In a letter sent to the school community Friday, Hampshire Regional School District Superintendent Aaron Osborne said a return to school during the current academic year “looks increasingly unlikely” due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In March, Gov. Charlie Baker ordered all K-12 schools in the commonwealth to close and not reopen before May 4. Osborne wrote that the district has been hearing concerns from students, families and staff about this May 4 date — especially since statewide stay-at-home guidance has been extended and public health experts have indicated the necessity for a gradual return to normalcy when the threat of the coronavirus’ spread has been reduced.
Osborne cited “recent modeling and information” from experts at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield that he said indicates the peak of COVID-19 cases in western Massachusetts is likely to be in May or June, which is later than projections for the eastern part of the state.
“As of today, Friday, April 17th, school buildings are now closed until we receive adequate guidance from state and local health officials that makes me confident that it is safe for students and staff to return to school,” Osborne wrote. “While we are not putting a specific date on the potential return, it is clear that it will not be May 4th.
“We realize that the uncertainty of this situation is a major challenge, which is why we felt it was important to share this updated information with families and staff,” Osborne added later. “The district will continue to endeavor to provide responsible updates to the Hampshire Regional community as the situation evolves.”
Michael Connors can be reached art mconnors@gazettenet.com.