Over two evenings, Quakertown parents were invited to a Zoom town hall to ask questions ahead of registration for the 2020-2021 school year. School administration requested registration by July 29 to allow time to analyze selections in order to plan instruction.

            "We just want to make sure we are giving you the best information that we know," Superintendent William Harner said Wednesday night, welcoming parents to the session.

            Assistant superintendents Lisa Hoffman and Nancianne Edwards reviewed questions submitted by parents about options for in-person, virtual or hybrid instruction.

            "We are sharing to the best of our ability what we know at this point in time, but the situation is very fluid and will continue to change," Edwards explained.

            A preliminary parent survey conducted in June indicated that, out of 1,747 parents participating, 86.5% planned on some form of in-person instruction.

            During the town hall, Hoffman confirmed that, if registration for in-person only instruction exceeds district capacity, all students will move to the AB hybrid model with the exception of certain prioritized classes.

            The town halls addressed specific parent concerns about mandatory masks and social distancing, tests, lunches and access to Chromebooks for virtual and hybrid instruction. A compiled list of all questions and answers is maintained on the district website. The district's COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan is also published on the website. Any changes to the plan would need to be approved by the board during its August 13 or August 27 meetings.

            School is scheduled to begin on September 14.

            The meeting included a question and answer session with Dr. David Damsker, Director of the Bucks County Department of Health.