Portsmouth indefinitely delays return to in-person learning

Portsmouth — Amid a post-holiday spike in coronavirus cases, the Portsmouth School Board has delayed plans to resume in-person learning for a second time.

The district had planned to bring back staff Jan. 19 and some students Feb. 2. Superintendent Elie Bracy recommended Thursday that the board back off those dates and remain virtual until further notice. The board unanimously approved his recommendation.

“We want to get students back in the building but we want to do it when it’s appropriate,” Bracy said.

The district will reconsider new dates for a return only after the rate of positive test results in the city falls below 10% for 10 consecutive days. In the last 14 days, 20.1% of test results were positive.

Bracy also mentioned the possibility that students may not return in-person this school year. He said the district is exploring the possibility of summer school.

Sara Gregory, 757-269-7484, sara.gregory@pilotonline.com