Baltimore City Schools Statement
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Chris BerinatoBaltimore City Schools Statement
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Chris Berinato“In August 2021, City Schools determined it would be challenging to identify private duty nurses
for students who require individualized nursing care throughout the school day. Organizations
such as the American Nurses Association and the American Hospital Association have noted the
ongoing national nursing shortage that was further exacerbated by the pandemic.
City Schools worked with families to quickly implement alternatives for those students. Many of
those families were able to proceed with those solutions and prevent their students from
missing valuable teaching and learning time. Beginning in August 2021, special education staff
at ConneXions reached out to the family in this story to develop a specially-designed virtual
learning plan that would have prevented missed instructional time.
During the fall, City Schools also offered the family Home and Hospital Services in place of a
private duty nurse. The family opted not to proceed with those options until January when the
family accepted a virtual instruction and tutoring plan.
To safeguard the education of children, City Schools requires all schools to adhere to its Board
policies and regulations. Unfortunately, ConneXions violated City Schools’ policies on
attendance and grading for this student during the first semester. The charter school operator
will correct any attendance and grades for this student entered in violation of Board policies
and regulations. City Schools will also work with the school operator to increase its
understanding of applying Board policies on grading and attendance in unique circumstances
like schools faced in the fall.
The Board of School Commissioners is aware of the situation and is disappointed. During its
recent review of the charter for ConneXions, members of the Board emphasized its
requirement that the school operator adhere to district policies. While this situation did not
occur within the most recent period considered for the renewal (2017-2021), the Board is
exploring additional ways to ensure the operator meets its commitments to our students.”
-André Riley, APR
Executive Director of Communications
Baltimore City Public Schools
