Bayonne superintendent pushes for remote learning on snow days
New Jersey schools currently have to make up most weather-related closures, but one superintendent wants more flexibility.
More Stories
Could a snow day eventually mean school from home?
Bayonne Superintendent John Niesz is asking Gov. Mikie Sherrill to give New Jersey school districts more flexibility to use remote learning when severe weather or other emergencies make it unsafe to get to school.
Niesz says Bayonne already has the technology and every student has a laptop, making it possible to hold classes remotely while keeping students on track.
He says the change could also prevent districts from having to add extra days to the school calendar after multiple weather-related closures.
New Jersey allows remote learning in certain emergencies, but a typical snow day still has to be made up.
Some neighboring states give districts more flexibility, and New Jersey lawmakers are considering legislation that could allow certain remote-learning days to count toward the school year.
The governor's office has been contacted about whether Sherrill plans to take up Niesz's request.
For now, New Jersey schools remain under the current rules.
