California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office launched a website to provide transparency, accountability and guidance for schools reopening for in-person learning.
In light of Alameda County’s stay-at-home order, which is in effect until at least Jan. 7, the Berkeley Unified School District, or BUSD, Board of Education has decided to continue distance learning until further notice.
In a Dec. 18 message to the BUSD community, Superintendent Brent Stephens said because of the continual increase of COVID-19 transmission rates, the previous reopening date for the pre-K and transitional kindergarten through second grade program, Jan. 13, is “simply not possible to meet.” He added that all Alameda County public school districts face the same reality.
Although Stephens does not know when BUSD schools will reopen, negotiations with the district’s union partners are ongoing to ensure that when it is safe and legal to open, they will be ready.
Berkeley town hall meeting discusses reopening of local schools
Vanessa Lim/File
The timeline for reopening schools is expected to be pushed back several weeks due to the high positive COVID-19 test and transmission rates that prompted the stay-at-home order. Once these indicators decline, elementary schools are set to reopen, and middle and high schools are set to follow after.
Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín and Berkeley Unified School District, or BUSD, Superintendent Brent Stephens discussed the reopening of local schools in light of the regional stay-at-home order at a virtual town hall Monday.
Arreguín and Stephens addressed several questions from Berkeley community members regarding the timeline of reopening schools, which is expected to be pushed back several weeks due to the stay-at-home order. They also discussed the potential for hybrid learning and teacher vaccinations. Arreguín emphasized the city’s commitment to opening schools as soon as regional health orders d