7 Of 10 MA School Districts Bringing Students Back Next Month

Gov. Charlie Baker said he was “encouraged” by the number, and again pushed for some other districts to choose hybrid or in-person models.

By Mike Carraggi, Patch Staff
Aug 18, 2020 12:47 pm ET

About 30 percent of districts are planning on reopening using a fully remote model. (Shutterstock)

Seven of every 10 school districts in Massachusetts are planning on bringing students back to class in some manner to begin the fall.

Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday that more than 70 percent of the 371 school districts to have submitted plans indicated a hybrid or in-person return in mid-September. That’s at least 260 districts opening their doors to children.

About 30 percent of districts are planning on reopening using a fully remote model.

Baker didn’t clarify what category districts that are starting remotely but phasing into an in-person return fall into.

Baker also said there would be more information later this week on the status of school sports and school testing.

Baker said he was “encouraged” by the number of districts bringing students back, and again said he thinks districts with low COVID-19 numbers should be able to come up with a reopening plan that offers face-to-face education.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said last week there was an expectation that most districts in communities designated green or white in the state’s COVID-19 map reopen with students.

The map has been updated with interactive town-by-town COVID-19 statistics from July 26-Aug. 8. Go here and click your community to see the latest state data on average daily case rates. The information will be updated Wednesday.

Baker also announced the state’s Stop the Spread initiative was expanding to Salem, Saugus and Holyoke, cities all marked red in the map. Those cities will receive free testing locations.