Nevada governor allows schools to reopen while following social-distancing requirements
Submitted by admin on Tue, 06/09/2020 - 3:15pm
Gov. Steve Sisolak has given schools the green light to reopen while meeting social-distancing protocols, but it’s not mandatory: Summer learning opportunities could be provided through distance education, in-person learning or a combination of both.
The governor’s directive also requires districts, charter schools and private schools to develop plans for reopening facilities for the upcoming academic year based on a framework released Tuesday by the Nevada Department of Education. Those plans must be made public and approved by a governing body at least 20 days before the first day of the 2020-2021 school year.
Sisolak closed schools in mid-March in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The closure caused a scramble to stand up distance education plans so students could finish the 2019-2020 school year remotely.
“For the last three months, our students, families and educators demonstrated tremendous flexibility and resiliency when asked to stay at home and switch to distance learning to flatten the COVID-19 infection rate curve. I know this hasn’t been easy, but I’m proud Nevadans took this seriously,” Sisolak said in a statement. “This directive will allow schools to return to a sense of normalcy while keeping the health and safety of students and staff at the forefront.”
Schools can reopen Wednesday, per the directive. The 48-page framework developed by the state education department does not provide mandates. Instead, it’s “designed to support local efforts” to prepare for the coming school year, State Superintendent Jhone Ebert noted in the document.
“The guidance released today provides districts and schools with the flexibility to make decisions about summer learning and activities based on their local circumstances,” she said in a statement.
This is a developing story used with permission of The Nevada Independent. Go here for updates to this and other stories.
