GREENFIELD — The Greenfield School Committee voted during a special meeting Thursday night to return to fully remote learning until at least Jan. 11, when it will reassess COVID-19 metrics to decide whether to bring high-risk students back to in-person learning.

Superintendent Jordana Harper temporarily suspended in-person learning earlier this week after she saw case numbers rising and asked for a recommendation from the city’s Board of Health. High-risk learners, like those in special education and learning English as a second language, had returned to in-person learning almost two weeks ago.

While School Committee members voiced concern during an emergency meeting Tuesday about Harper making the decision to return to remote learning for at least three days without consulting them, they did not discuss that issue Thursday night.

Harper said she made the “temporary” decision so the School Committee could discuss the issue and make a decision of its own Thursday.

Mayor Roxann Wedegartner said the change in instruction affected 39 high-risk students who are most vulnerable, including some with serious health issues.

“I was greatly moved by emails from parents,” Wedegartner said. “I understand how important in-person learning is for them, but we also have to protect them.”

The School Committee — which made the decision with six votes in favor of returning to fully remote instruction and an abstention by Chair Amy Proietti — also agreed that some of the affected students will have to have in-person evaluations done and access some other in-person services like physical therapy, so the superintendent and others involved will have to decide how to do so individually and in the safest manner.

Committee member Katie Caron said she was happy with the decision to wait until at least Jan. 11 to allow high-risk students to return because transitions can be difficult for them and she wouldn’t want to see them go back to in-person learning too soon and have to be pulled out again.

Greenfield Interim Health Director Jennifer Hoffman said while she is very mindful of the dilemma parents face in terms of childcare while they’re working, people should understand that the holidays will probably lead to an increase in COVID-19 cases. Therefore, the date of return could be a moving target based on the metrics.

School Committee Vice Chair Susan Eckstrom asked if it might make sense to close all school buildings until after the holidays, and Harper said she would keep an eye on the numbers and the situations in each building. She said some teachers voluntarily teach remotely within the school buildings rather than from home.

The School Committee will meet again in January, at which time it will evaluate what the COVID-19 numbers are like in Greenfield. It will then make a decision for high-risk students to return to in-person learning or to extend remote learning until the numbers are lower.

Reach Anita Fritz at 413-772-9591 or afritz@recorder.com.