Richard Bozza

School officials say most districts will abide by looser guidelines from the New Jersey Department of Health regarding how long a COVID-positive student or teacher needs to stay out of the classroom, but there's concern over whether this greater leeway is coming at the worst possible time.

According to the state's rules, only in-person instruction days can count towards a full year in a post-pandemic New Jersey.

Experts say districts prefer to first look at items that don't directly impact students, or aren't required.