The classroom is changing drastically during the coronavirus pandemic, as students are now learning from home. It may be that way for quite some time.

Shenendehowa Superintendent Dr. Oliver Robinson said they’re facing a number of financial challenges due to the pandemic.

“It’s a waiting game,” said Robinson.

It’s not known what the lasting effects of the coronavirus will look like on school districts. Right now, virtual sessions are set to stay in place through the end of the school year. Governor Andrew Cuomo says this may change the scope of education in classrooms forever.

“You get moments in history where people say ‘OK, I’m ready, I’m ready for change.’ And I think this is one of those moments,” said Cuomo.

Robinson says, though, that even virtual learning brings its challenges. The district is looking into resources to make sure every child has a level playing field when learning from home.

“So how do we ensure that students have access to the internet? How do we ensure students have a home where they can effectively engage in the learning process? How do we make sure they have mental health support?” Robinson asked.

On top of virtual learning, budget season is just around the corner. The superintendent says he’s hoping from more answers about cuts to funding in the next few weeks. But he says under the governor’s current executive order, they would have to send out more than 60,000 mail-in ballots for the budget. He says that’s a huge bill to foot, close to $250,000.

“We would run an election that would cost us about a quarter of a million dollars, in a time where we’re looking to cut funds for schools and programs. To me, not to be crude, but that’s a pretty asinine way to do things,” said Robinson.

He said he hopes the governor will come up with an alternate way for districts to handle voting on the school budget in the upcoming weeks.