Cape board approves in-person school for 2021-22 school year

Acting upon Superintendent Bob Fulton’s recommendation, the Cape school board voted unanimously May 27 to operate on a five-day-per-week, full-day, in-person instructional model for the 2021-22 school year.

The plan is for all students to return to the classroom, with no intention to return to a full-scale or modified remote, or hybrid model, Fulton said. 

“It’s critical that every student is back in school for many, many reasons starting next school year, and that they have as normal a school year as possible with all the activities and functions they’re used to,” Fulton said.

All athletics, including in middle school, and all arts programs will take place as long as state-mandated protocols, including mask-wearing, are followed, he said. Things could change, but the intention is to focus planning for the fall, Fulton said. 

“Our goal is 100 percent of the students in person next school year,” Fulton said. “Based on space, based on requirements for buses and social distancing, this is something we can do.”

The district will work individually with families that have more serious health concerns whose children will be unable to attend in person, Fulton said.

Board member Jessica Tyndall said she hopes social distancing requirements could be relaxed before the next school year, noting that Sussex County has the highest COVID-19 vaccination rate in the state.

Board member Bill Collick said after spending time in the high school after spring break, he agreed.

“Our kids and parents will tell you, they really need to be in school, and if we can do it, we need to do it,” Collick said. “We really do.”

For more information on the school district, visit capehenlopenschools.com.