SOUTHAMPTON – The William E. Norris School Committee plans to discuss the school’s hybrid instructional model at its Wednesday meeting, ahead of an anticipated Oct. 28 vote on how the school will proceed with instructing students.
“I believe in open dialogue whenever possible,” said Jon Lumbra, the School Committee’s chairman.
On July 30, the School Committee voted 3-1 to adopt a hybrid model for instruction, under which most students attend the Norris School two days a week and are instructed remotely the other three days. The model also has the goal of returning students to full in-person learning after four weeks of the school year. The Norris School serves students from preschool through sixth grade.
Wednesday’s meeting will take place over Zoom, and begins at 5:30 p.m.
Lumbra said the committee is starting to gather facts around how the plan has been operating so far. He also said that since the evaluation of the July 30 vote appeared on the committee’s agenda, “a lot of folks have already started sending emails, one way or another.”
Lumbra said the committee has received about 10 emails so far, and that most of them have advocated staying the course with the hybrid model. He also said that those interested in emailing the School Committee and the superintendent about the model can do so at southsc@scm.hr-k12.org.
Lumbra said that he expects the School Committee will vote on how to proceed with instructing students on Oct. 28 and that the committee could vote to continue hybrid learning, authorize full in-person learning, or adopt a full-remote model for Norris’ students.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.