School Board postpones start of classes until Mon., Aug. 31
ALMONT — The Almont Board of Education decided on Wednesday (Aug. 19) to postpone the start of the 2020-2021 school year until Monday, Aug. 31.
The postponement alligns the Almont district with school start dates at Dryden, Imlay City and North Branch schools.
Schools Supt. Dr. William Kalmar said the late start is deemed necessary to ensure that the district’s online learning platform for “virtual/distance” learners is ready. Students were originally due to start classes this Monday, August 24.
“We also want to make sure we have met all staffing and facilities needs for in-person instruction,” Kalmar said in a Facebook post.
The Almont superintendent referenced the requirements of the State of Michigan’s MI Safe Schools:Michigan 2020-2021 “Return to School Roadmap,’ which was issued in July.
“We have endeavored to create learning environments for our students which meet the stringent in-person requirements for us to reopen for traditional instruction. “Reopening for in-person instruction requires us to meet or exceed over 200 requirements and recommendations that are part of the MI Safe Schools Roadmap.”
Tom Wearing started at the Tri-City Times in 1989, covering the Village of Capac as a beat reporter. He later served stints as assistant editor and editor. Today, he covers Imlay City and Almont as a staff writer. He enjoys music and plays drums and sings with various musical groups in the Detroit Metropolitan area.