If school districts haven’t made a decision, officials only have a few weeks left to release plans about how and when students should return to classrooms. And not everyone in the Orange County, Florida public schools agrees on when and how to reopen.
It’s the eighth largest school district in the United States, and the teachers union recently filed a complaint saying that the district’s August 21 reopening date is dangerous. This complaint follows protests in Orange County over reopening.
And Congress is now even more involved with the decision to reopen. Senate Republicans released their coronavirus stimulus plan, called the HEALS Act, which lays out billions in federal aid to schools— if they reopen. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has voiced her support for this plan, despite its criticisms from Democrats including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
We’re talking to Barbara Jenkins, the superintendent of Orange County Public Schools, about reopening and what it means for the safety of students and staff.
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