Final plans for Boston schools still up in the air

BOSTON — Friday was the deadline day for school districts to turn in their final reopening plans to the state.

But the state’s largest school district -- Boston -- is still up in the air.

“As a parent we want that info as soon as possible because we’ve got to start planning for the fall,” said Annissa Essaibi-George, a mother to four Boston Public School kids.

But she’s also on the City Counil and chairperson of its Education Committee, so she sees both sides of this.

“I want to know. I want to make my plans for September. I want to understand where my kids are going to be during the school day and how we are going to get through that school day,” she said.

So as Essaibi-George walks that fine line, she understands how frustrating this process is for parents.

“Every family situation is very different and whether parents need to go to work whether they’re essential workers, whether they have the ability to stay home,” she said.

For many families in Boston school is where their kids eat, and daycare is also essential.

“We think about food services, we think about knowing our kids are in a safe place during the day that they are with adults who care for them," she said.

And Essaibi-George adds the best of plans could change due to COVID-19.

“As a city councilor I do want to caution regardless of what the plan is that presented to the public that we are working towards… at a moment in time things can change," she said.

Boston Public Schools underscores that. In the executive summary of their plan saying:

● Once made, the decision may change. as the virus continues to evolve, our decision-making will continue to evolve as well.

So, it’s wait and see now for parents while the state reviews all these re-opening plans from across the Commonwealth.

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