Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) "This is not a problem that you solve like a Rubik's cube, where there are a set of steps, you finish it and set it aside. This is a lot more complex than that," said Michael Cornell, Superintendent of Hamburg Central Schools.
"We have to remember that they have a difficult challenge developing guidance for such a large state. We have to be patient while they go about their work," said Cornell.
All 700 school districts across the state have been instructed to come up with a reopening plan for their district.
"What we're doing in Hamburg is creating a process that allows us to build planning that takes into account the complexity of the challenge that is before us," he said.
Cornell has about 100 people working in different teams to help us figure out how to restart school. Everyone has a different role to play. "For example, we have the Board of Education working with the Superintendent. They see the whole field, the whole organization. We have stakeholders who represent particular constituencies such as bargaining units, the PTA. Then, we have three separate working groups with fifteen or twenty people in each of those. On top of that, we have core teams, or decision making teams who look at the practical aspect of plans.
Cornell said he needs to put as many ideas as possible on the table."We have to be ready for everything and anything."
Every plan will be put through a test. "What does the plan look like if we're in person with all students on campus every day. Then we look at it if we're in a hybrid schedule where half of the kids are there one day and half are there another day. And then we look at what happens if we are in a full remote learning scenario," said Cornell.
Cornell said one thing he is confident about, is that there are amazing people in Hamburg who value collaboration and the marketplace of ideas. "I think we're up to the challenge," he said.