SCHNECKSVILLE - Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 has announced the formation of the Reopening of School Task Force to develop plans and options for the 2020-21 school year for 14 school districts, two career and technical institutes, and the community college of Lehigh and Carbon counties.

“The task force will work throughout the month of June to be best prepared to offer a myriad of educational options for all our students,” said Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 Executive Director, Dr. Elaine Eib. “Our districts will conduct online surveys of families as part of this process. We recognize that we need their input as each school district’s plan for opening schools for the 20-21 academic year is developed.”

On June 3, Gov. Tom Wolf and Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera provided Pennsylvania’s Reopening of Schools Guidance to help inform our planning efforts. Given the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand that state guidance will evolve as more information and resources become available.

“Public safety and the safety of our students, employees and families will always be our priority,” Eib said. “We will continue to work with state and local health agencies in an effort to monitor changes in statewide guidance and to provide the best options for social distancing which will be detailed in each school district’s board approved Health and Safety Plan.

The IU will continue to provide additional information regarding the reopening of schools as more information becomes available. Please visit www.cliu.org for more information on our efforts to manage the COVID-19 pandemic as it affects the educational program of our local schools in the coming year.

On behalf of all the public schools in Carbon and Lehigh counties, we thank you for your continued patience, understanding and support as we work through this situation together.