Governor: Most Vermont schools to go hybrid during pandemic

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said Tuesday that most of the state’s schools are going to begin the school year having students studying at home and in school.

Scott, speaking during his regular virus briefing from Montpelier, said the low rate of infection in Vermont should make it possible for students to return to school safely.

In a normal year, students would be headed back to school this week. But the start of the school year was delayed two weeks, until Sept. 8, to give schools time to prepare for the year while keeping children healthy and minimizing the possibility of spreading the virus.

In many districts, teachers are at work this week preparing their classrooms and testing the equipment they will use for remote teaching.

“We all share the goal of making sure kids safely get the same high quality education they would have had before the pandemic,” Scott said.

The hybrid approach would have students studying remotely at home some days and in classes other days until conditions allow the resumption of full-time, in-person education.

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MOTOR VEHICLES

On Tuesday Scott also announced that the Department of Motor Vehicles would be expanding its services.

On Aug. 31 the DMV offices in Montpelier, South Burlington and Rutland will reopen for in-person services for people who have appointments.

People will be able to schedule those appointments online beginning Thursday.

Many DMV services continue to be available online or through the mail.

DMV Commissioner Wanda Minoli said her department has been aware that Vermonters need DMV's services.

While DMV employees have continued to work daily covering mail, online, and email requests, our goal always has been to reopen as quickly as possible with health and safety protocols in place,” she said.

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NUMBERS

Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said the state last week once again had the the lowest number of new cases per 100,000 at six, as compared with the national average of 93. Vermont also had the lowest percentage of people testing positive for the virus, less than 1%.

“The virus is still very present and widespread throughout the state,” Levine said.

On Tuesday, the health department reported seven new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19, bringing the total since the pandemic began to just over 1,570.

There are currently three people hospitalized with COVID-19.

The number of deaths remains at 58.