DOVER — Town officials have reported more than 100 new cases of COVID-19 in the last two weeks, prompting Dover schools to remain virtual until next year. 

Since Oct. 16, county health officials reported 118 new COVID-19 cases in Dover, a tally that Superintendent Jim McLaughlin said is “a cause of concern for students and staff.” Based on the rising number of cases, McLaughlin told parents on Monday that students will remain fully remote until the first week of January.

“We have to make the right decision for Dover, and in many respects the decisions we’ve made have been different from the rest of the county, but I also think our conditions are different,” McLaughlin said.

In a letter to parents, district officials said Dover Health Department Director Trevor Weigle agreed that “it is not the right time” to reopen schools. African Americans living in densely populated cities where the coronavirus spread quickly and immigrants living paycheck to paycheck have been among the most affected during the pandemic. Earlier this year, McLaughlin said his concern centered on how soon students returned and the impact on the immigrant, working-class families that live in Dover. 

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On Monday, New Jersey hit another three-month high in hospitalizations due to COVID-19, with the northern part of the state reporting the bulk of the surge in new cases, officials said. Dover, a town with over 18,000 residents, is the second-most-affected municipality in Morris County, reporting 905 cases since the start of the pandemic. Parsippany, the county’s most populous town, reported 22 more cases than Dover, with 927 cases. 

“Opening schools at this time is likely to only add to this concern,” McLaughlin said. 

To prepare for a return to in-person learning in January, district officials said that work on 11 alternative spaces for learning is underway for students at Academy Street, North Dover and Dover High School. But a review of the project plans by the New Jersey Department of Education and a certificate of occupancy may not come until after Nov. 16.

Also, the district acquired additional personal protective equipment and is remediating air ventilation in all schools, a problem officials were tackling at the beginning of the school year. 

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Dover schools were also battling connectivity and technology issues. The state earmarked $54 million in federal funding to reimburse districts for the purchase of computer devices, which Dover school officials say “on the way” amid a nationwide shortage. Students in kindergarten through sixth grade can anticipate the distribution of 1,400 iPads within the next two weeks, McLaughlin said. Parents can also request an internet hot spot from the district by filling out a request form online.

“The biggest thing we’re waiting for is the technology order for the elementary students. I think people will feel a lot better when that comes in,” he said.

In September, district officials reinstated in-person extracurricular activities, including athletics, band and color guard, after students and staff launched a petition in favor of fall sports. But McLaughlin said he “doesn’t want to rush the decision” to move forward with indoor and high-contact sports like basketball and wrestling.

“We are faced with the dilemma of not wanting to take the opportunity from kids who need them more than they ever needed them, but at the same time, we want to be consistent in making sure that everyone is OK,” McLaughlin added. 

In the interim, Dover students will continue with a virtual learning schedule until next year. 

Most recently, Morris County shared over $8 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding out of $60 million released by Gov. Phil Murphy for severely affected county and local governments not qualified to receive direct federal aid. Morris County received $2.3 million, while $6.1 million was shared among the 39 municipalities throughout the county.

Dover received $334,939 from the county in aid to help with unexpected expenses caused by the pandemic, including increased costs in health benefits, health and human services, public safety, overtime, equipment and supply expenditures.

Jessie Gomez is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com and NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: jgomez@gannettnj.com

Twitter: @jessiereport 

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