Despite hopes for families to chose a hybrid of in-person and remote learning in the fall, following public health guidance Bellevue School District will be fully remote at the start of the school year.

The move comes after several King County superintendents spoke with officials at Public Health Seattle-King County. The district reports health officials clearly stated that based on the steady increase of COVID-19 infections in King County over the last several weeks, they cannot imagine a way to have on-campus learning in the fall without the risk of significant transmission of the virus to students, educators, staff and the general public.

Superintendent Ivan Duran shared a statement Wednesday explaining how the move to fully-remote learning would impact previously planning.

“As the person who ultimately bears responsibility for the health and safety of our students, educators, and staff in our schools, I cannot in good conscience open our school campuses to most of our students this fall based on this clear guidance from public health officials,” Duran stated.

The district was previously creating a plan that would allow families to opt-in for a hybrid learning model at the start of the school year, while other families could choose 100% remote learning.

Those who opted for the hybrid model will instead be remote until infection rates are significantly lower, according to the district.

Due to the change, Bellevue School District will be reaching out to families once more to confirm which model they wish to enroll in by July 28, with questionnaires due July 31.

The plans for a remote learning schedule will be shared on Monday, July 27.

More information is available here.