As many school districts were making plans for opening schools in the next few weeks for either in-person learning, virtual learning or a mix of the two, news broke late Wednesday that the state Board of Education is expected to consider a resolution today that would push back the start of school statewide until Sept. 8.
Little is known at this time about the resolution, but rumors began spreading Wednesday. This comes as many school districts had already planned to kick off the new school year late this month or in early August. In Georgia, school calendars are usually a locally controlled issue and set by the individual districts.
As opening day draws near, many school districts which had planned to hold in-person learning have changed course. In Fulton County, teachers will be in the classrooms and students will remain at home, while in other systems learning will be completely virtual with all teachers working from home. However, other districts across the state have decided to stay with their original plans to have students and teachers return for in-person learning. Georgia’s largest school district, Gwinnett, has announced that it will open virtually.
“It’s obvious that many students will not be in a classroom when school resumes,” said Jan Jones, Speaker Pro Tem, Tuesday during the second session of the virtual 2020 Legislative Forum put on by the Georgia Public Policy Foundation. “Right now, at least 30 percent of Georgia’s students will not be going to class which really is a problem with the re-opening of our economy and many parents returning to work.”
Jones went on to say that “online learning is a wonderful way to learn for many children, but it doesn’t work for all students and families. I am gravely concerned that many of Georgia’s children will fall behind.”
With the options for online schools, home schools, Georgia’s Virtual School, and the new micro-schools or pod schools, Jones said she felt this would be “the spring board for a lot of changes long-term.”
Jones said some issues will need to be looked at legislatively, but felt there were “work-arounds in the meantime.” She did state concerns about state dollars being used for education in some areas “where no learning is taking place.”
“We are paying for a service and so many of our school districts did a great job last spring when we closed schools. But some truly failed our children and it wasn’t just a matter of resources or lack of internet. We had some small rural districts that did a great job.”
On Wednesday, U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) spoke with Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods, along with other local education leaders across the state to hear about current plans to begin the upcoming school year.
The discussion included Dr. Mark Scott, Superintendent of Houston County Schools, Dr. Curtis Jones, Superintendent of Bibb County Schools and 2019 National Superintendent of the Year, and Kerensa Wing, Principal of Collins Hill High School in Gwinnett County and 2020 National Principal of the Year.
“I so appreciate what you are doing in the state. Your leadership in a time of turmoil has really been profound,” said Senator Perdue. “I know how difficult this decision is for children, for parents, for teachers, as well as for grandparents who are often the primary caregiver when kids get home in the afternoons. At the federal level, we want to make sure there’s some logical thought put toward what you need to make this school year as successful as possible.”
Earlier this week, Senator Perdue introduced the Safely Creating Healthy Opening Options Locally (SCHOOL) Act, a common-sense proposal to provide parents, teachers, and educators with the tools they need to begin to safely reopen schools across the country. The SCHOOL Act is designed to help K-12 schools plan to safely reopen by establishing a grant program, sharing best practices, streamlining data transparency, and connecting schools with health care professionals for additional support.
Both of Senator Perdue’s parents were public school teachers and his father later served as Superintendent of the Houston County School System.
Also this week, Superintendent Woods issued a statement that said, “Local districts have authority to chart their course for the upcoming school year. Our role is to support them.”
In the release, Woods stated, “Most of our school districts, in talking with their families, staff, communities, and evaluating public health data, are currently planning an in-person start to their school year. They are offering combinations of virtual options, hybrid models, or full in-person instruction.
