Pottstown Re-Affirms Choice to Stay Virtual for Now

There was never much doubt, but there was a smidgeon of dissent Thursday when the Pottstown School Board re-affirmed its earlier indication that education will remain for the most part virtual for the remainder of the third quarter.

Board members Steve Kline and Laura Johnson voted against the proposal laid out by Superintendent Stephen Rodriguez. 

For Kline, a former school principal, his vote came because he wanted to know more about what is being done for the students who are falling behind academically as well as those who may not be failing, but are becoming disengaged from school.

"The students who are falling behind need a lot more than an hour here or there," said Kline. "Ten percent of a school failing means we have to remediate somehow."

Rodriguez had indicated the administration is working on ways to re-connect with those students, but his response was not big on specifics. It included providing support both online and in-person, describing it as "more of a bridge until we get to in-person."

He praised those teachers who have volunteered to teach and provide support in person.

The need for support was highlighted by Franklin Elementary parent Laurie Conbeer whos aid her two children are not struggling academically, but are becoming disengaged.

"If you could have seen their faces when I tried to explain to them that we weren't going back Feb. 1," she said. Her son, looking forward to returning for just a few days, said "even if I just have one friend Mommy, that's one more than I have now."

"That's not the first parent who has tugged at my heart strings," said Rodriguez. "Nothing is off the table. We'll look at providing social opportunities. Not sure how we'll do that, but then I haven't been sure of anything for the last 14 months," he says.

The need for elementary students to see other kids and get socialized was the reason Johnson gave for her nay vote.

"I'm at a point where I think its worth bringing the elementary kids back," she said.

Most of the borough's COVID-19 positive rate is above 12 percent, Rodriguez told the school board.

Teacher Kelly Leibold thanked the board for its "careful deliberations" and Rodriguez "for making decisions that are keeping everyone safe."