This is outrageous. The students need to return to the classroom next week. Distance learning is failing our students. Bring them all back in March. If the teachers get COVID, they can hire new graduates at a much cheaper cost in the fall. A first-year teacher makes about 50% less than a tenured teacher.

What this article doesn’t detail is just how many teachers are being permitted to continue with distance learning based on personal exemptions, despite now having the opportunity to be vaccinated. In MVWSD, that number is around 34 teachers. And, there seems to be no plan in place to address this issue. One school has ZERO teachers returning in person for second grade. So, while many families may choose to return in person, they are later being told their teacher’s plans do not align.

I am so disappointed by this town's public school system. Massachusetts has already opened in-person for schools and we have administrators here dragging their feet in Mountain View. Online learning doesn't work well for students, and kids in private schools or rich towns have been moving even further ahead with in-person learning for awhile. At what point do we demand a NEW superintendent?? We need someone who is more focused on student LEARNING and PERFORMANCE, instead of someone focusing his energy on renaming elementary schools because of something an old person did 200 years ago.

@TomR - the Public Policy of the school system(s) are set by VOTES of the Board(s). The MVWSD Board (from early 2020) voted a Resolution to give all power to the Superintendent for closing - reopening. They (the new Board, 2 of 5 newly elected) has not scheduled a Board VOTE on that public policy!

Only 'recycled' new Trustee Christopher Chiang has publicly called out for a VOTE of the full Board, during an official Board Meeting, to affirm or change that public policy resolution!

The MVWSD Board (new majority) refuses to put that on their AGENDA.

I fully support Chiang's idea of "Board's responsibility". You should write to the Trustees@mvwsd.org if you do also (or 'community request' an Agenda item! In writting, at least 10 days before a meet / to Bd. President or Superintendent) Democracy is participation sport.

MVLA seems absolutely determined to be the last schools district in the country to return kids to the classroom in any meaningful way. It’s an outrage, and is due to an incompetent School Board and Superintendent.