Masking is a must in Schenectady

Superintendent lists precautions to prepare for start of classes

Saying in-person instruction is the “gold standard” for teaching and learning, city schools Superintendent Anibal Soler Jr., asserted “masking required by all, at all times” with 3-feet social distancing will be the practice when students return to school Sept. 9.

The precautions are necessary because the other option — another year of remote learning — is simply not practical, he said.

“I want you to know that this was not done in a room by myself, that the information you see here will have alignment with some of our colleagues in the region, but we’ll be focused on in-person learning because it’s just not productive to not have kids in buildings in almost two years, and allow that to continue to occur,” he added. “There isn’t a perfect answer, we’re all struggling with this, but this is the plan.”

Soler spoke during Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting where he outlined plans to reopen school buildings that were closed during the last