Lisle District 202 to open school year with 100% remote learning

Lisle Unit District 202 has become the latest in an increasingly long line of area school systems to announce it will start the new school year with full remote learning.

The school board is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday to continue discussions on a re-entry plan for the 2020-2021 school year. The district plans to take another look at its plans in late October.

The first day of school is scheduled for Aug. 26.

Staff members had submitted a back-to-school proposal to the board on July 27 based on feedback from the community, but in a letter to parents this week, officials said "it has become apparent since the meeting that it is not prudent to proceed with the in-person plan based on current circumstances outside of the district's control."

Officials said the district lacks sufficient staff to offer in-person learning because of compromising medical conditions and/or leave requests. It also faces challenges with implementing daily protocols for both students and staff, ranging from serving lunches without masks to maintaining social distancing on school buses.

Among its other concerns:

• Rising COVID-19 positivity rates across the region;

• Recent research indicating school-aged children may transmit the virus at higher rates than previously thought;

• The closing of schools in the South and Midwest less that a week after reopening because of COVID outbreaks among students and staff.