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Health, safety plan for Pittsburgh Public Schools up for discussion Wednesday

PITTSBURGH — As the start of the school year nears, a virtual public hearing will be held Wednesday to discuss the health and safety plan for Pittsburgh Public Schools.

The hearing will be a way for parents, teachers and community members to talk about the best plan moving forward amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Comments will be limited to the health and safety plan and having to possibly start school with remote instruction.

The school board’s original plan was presented last week, giving parents the option to choose online instruction or in-person learning.

>>STORY: Pittsburgh Public Schools has ‘pandemic team’ to help district implement safest plan

However, after that presentation, one board member introduced a plan to start the school year with nine weeks of remote instruction only.

The president of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers said the current COVID-19 situation is alarming and has changed over the course of time.

>>STORY: Head of teachers’ union says many not comfortable returning to classroom

“They will have to think long and hard about whether they could or should return because of those health conditions,” Nina Esposito-Visgitis, president of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, said. “People are afraid. They are worried about their students, their families and themselves. It’s a health hazard.”

Wednesday’s hearing is scheduled for 5 p.m. The school board is expected to approve a back-to-school plan on Friday.