I want to express my appreciation and gratitude to the teachers and the support staff of the Trumbull Public Schools as they prepare to return to school during these uncertain times. Our teachers and staff have made the Trumbull School system one of the finest in the State and they will be on the front lines when our schools reopen. I am confident that no matter the challenge, they will rise to the occasion as they have always done and I am here to support them.
A safe learning environment for students, teachers, staff, and administrators is my number one priority. I have discussed the hybrid reopening plan in detail with Interim Superintendent Iassogna. For the wellbeing of everyone, there are numerous state regulations and guidance that must be followed in these reopening plans. Prioritizing safety and acting with an abundance of caution is the best course of action. I intend to visit our schools this week to see first-hand the preparations that have been made in anticipation of opening.
Most of the parent community has been patient. I understand that parents need information in order to plan. Parents are caught in a bind with uncertainty at their work places and uncertainty with respect to school plans for their children and of course concerns with the health and safety of their children.
While the final decision with respect to the reopening of the schools rests solely with the Superintendent, I have discussed and relayed to the Superintendent Iassogna my concerns, the concerns and questions of the parents and school staff, concerns regarding remote learning and the need for more communication. My staff, including the Town’s Emergency Management Director, the Health Director, and the Director of Nursing, has been involved in the reopening process.
No matter how carefully the Superintendent and the school administration plans this reopening, the situation remains fluid and we must be prepared to quickly change course if the situation warrants it. I have spoken to leaders of many of our surrounding communities and we all face the same challenge. No one has a perfect answer. All of us agree that the safety and the health of our students, teachers, staff, and administrators will always guide our actions now and going forward.
According to the latest information, I am pleased to say that $2.3 million dollars will be coming to Trumbull mainly through the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) for cleaning, PPE, health, safety and transportation costs to help with the reopening.
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Digest/2020-21/CRF-Distribution-Method-Description.pdf