Schools Will Open on Monday, Superintendent Says

Wayne public schools will be in session next week as long as schools have power and road conditions remain safe, Superintendent Ray Gonzalez said in an update issued Saturday morning.

Schools will be placed on some kind of modified schedule, most likely a delayed opening, to allow parents time to transport their children to school, district officials said.

Schools were closed this past week due to Hurrciane Sandy. Power was out at many of them for most of the week.

Gonzalez is meeting with his administrative staff Saturday to develop a final plan for next week. He said he would issue a more detailed update Sunday.

“It is important that we open for a number of reasons," said Donald Pavlak Jr., Board of Education president. Our kids need to get back into their routine and we’re giving parents a safe place to bring their children while they are at work.”

In his update, Gonzalez said that instruction would be “light” next week “intended to ease everyone back into a normal routine for the following week.”

Sodexo, the district’s food service provider, is preparing to serve meals at every school.

Students were slated to be off on Tuesday, Election Day, and schools were scheduled to be closed Thursday and Friday for the state teachers’ convention in Atlantic City. The New Jersey Education Association cancelled the convention earlier this week.

Power remains off at several schools but officials could not confirm which ones. Mayor Chris Vergano said Friday afternoon that power was still out at eight schools, but that number could have changed since then.

District personnel have no access to George Washington Middle School and limited access to Pines Lake Elementary School due to downed trees.

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