It’s safe to say that a lot of people have a vested interest in the public school system.
When you think about the number of students, parents, teachers, support staff members, administrators, school board members and associated public officials, it’s hard to imagine one organization that connects more of the population.
That is why devising a plan to reopen school facilities during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is an undertaking that is being closely scrutinized.
And that is why North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper needs to say something regarding the reopening of schools in the fall – and soon.
In June, Cooper announced that he would decide on a plan to restart schools safely by July 1. That date has come and gone with no such announcement and an already cloudy picture is growing less clear by the day.
More than a month ago, Cooper unveiled three options for putting students back to work with “Plan A” being to restart school in person and on time with limited social distancing and increased cleaning and sanitizing procedures in place. Plan A is the closest to business as usual for school districts.
“Plan B” would increase social distancing by operating schools at half capacity with students following some form of alternate scheduling between in-person and online learning.
“Plan C” would be to start the school year with online learning only and no students in school buildings.
Obviously, those are three very different scenarios with implications for all parties involved. If Cooper decides to go with either “Plan B” or “Plan C,” parents will need time to line up transportation, child care, plan for meals, etc. Teachers will need to change lesson plans accordingly to accommodate online instruction or some mix of in-class and home-based learning.
The proposed first day of the fall semester for students is Aug. 17, which is just six weeks away.
No matter the plan Cooper decides to go with, there will be criticism, but keeping everyone in the dark as the clock ticks toward the first school bell is not helping anyone.