HOULTON, Maine — The education process for students in Houlton, Littleton, Monticello and Hammond will likely continue to be a remote venture for the remainder of the school year.
RSU 29 Superintendent Ellen Halliday officially announced Friday afternoon in a letter posted to parents and staff that her district would not be returning to in-person classes, unless there is a dramatic change for the better in the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This, of course, does not mean that we are out for the summer,” Halliday noted. “It means that our buildings will likely remain closed for the rest of the year and that we need to plan accordingly.”
Maine’s commissioner of education reported last week that school districts should plan on the strong possibility that school buildings would remain closed for the rest of this year. Many schools in the region, and around the state, have already announced they would not be returning this school year.
The current school calendar has June 12 as the final day of classes. The school board could vote to change the final day of instruction.
“One thing that we have learned with this situation is that our course of action can change quickly, she continued. “We will continue to plan for remote learning through the remainder of this school year. If something changes, and we are able to open our schools prior to the end of the school year — we will also be ready to do that.”