Massachusetts education officials and the state’s three largest teachers’ unions are calling for a delay for the reopening of schools in September by two weeks.
Districts can use the time to prepare for the reopening.
Students will not be required to make up the lost time.
The tentative agreement provides for districts being able to use the first 10 days of the school year to provide teachers and staff with time to implement all the hygienic and social distancing policies required as well as to redesign teaching modalities to meet the demands of the new normal.
Everything about this added time to prepare is designed to keep students and staff safe from the virus.
September 16 would be the latest students return to classes under the agreement.
Districts like Everett planning to open after Labor Day on September 8, can use the extra time to coordinate new policies.
Districts can also petition for state approval to begin classes after the 16th.