New Milford board confirms in-person reopening, masks required after state guidance; remote option limited by state rules

The New Milford Board of Education confirmed plans for a full in‑person reopening of schools in September and said all students, staff and visitors must wear face masks in district buildings following recent state guidance.

Director of Curriculum Instruction Laura Daska told the board that, per a letter shared with families, "all students, teachers, staff and visitors will be required, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks." She outlined logistics for staff orientation (Aug. 24–26), staff reopening day (Sept. 1) and the student start date (Sept. 8), and said updated reopening information will be shared with families in late August.

Daska said screening procedures will be revised: entry points will have temperature checks and symptomatic students will be moved to an isolation area for follow‑up. The district will continue to use a self‑reported form for parents to notify schools about illness or travel; that form is not required daily for every student.

Board members pressed staff on how the district will handle quarantines now that the New Jersey Department of Education guidance known as "The Road Forward" removes a routine parental opt‑in remote learning option. Daska said the guidance "communicates the elimination of the option for parents for remote learning" except in limited circumstances (for example, a declared state of emergency or a directive by an appropriate health officer), and that districts should be prepared to provide virtual instruction "should students or classes need to be quarantined." She said the district is seeking further clarification from county and state authorities on quarantine procedures and will share that guidance when available.

Members also raised technology concerns for potential quarantines and hybrid scenarios. One board member asked whether grant funding could support equipment (microphones, cameras) to improve remote instruction for quarantined students; staff said they will involve the district technology coordinator to identify needs and potential funding sources.

The reopening plan also includes a monthly virtual family series in partnership with Care Plus NJ starting Sept. 15 to help families and staff manage reentry anxiety and other pandemic‑related challenges.

The board did not take new formal action on the reopening plan at the meeting; members and staff flagged points for follow‑up, including precise quarantine protocols and any additional state guidance.