Michael Mansfield

Families in Dunkirk will have a choice this year when it comes to their kids returning to school amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Health and safety are No. 1,” Superintendent Michael Mansfield said at Dunkirk’s school board meeting Tuesday. “We’re trying to work through all our guidance to have the safest plan possible.”

Mansfield said any student should be able to fully participate in their program, so if remote learning is the way and that may require internet devices or some kind of support at home the district has to provide that and make sure that all students get their services and their supports that are mandated by the state.

Child care of working families is also an issue that the schools are looking at addressing.

“A fully in person school day under the safety and health guidance is not really feasible for us to do,” Mansfield said. “So we are looking at other options. We are working on, how do we help our working families and our staff with school age child care? We’re looking at our different options with that.”