Durham Public Schools to revisit remote learning plans
Durham Public Schools leaders on Thursday evening will revisit plans to continue with virtual instruction for the rest of the school year.
The discussion is driven by a bill that would force school districts across North Carolina to reopen their doors to students who want the option of in-person learning during the coronavirus pandemic.
Due to the bill, which has to pass two votes in the House and one more in the Senate before making it to Gov. Roy Cooper's desk, the district is currently drafting a revised plan that would bring students back into classrooms.
Chip Suddereth with Durham Public Schools said the district is getting prepared in case the bill is passed.
"We are going to go ahead and survey our families kindergarten through 12th grade to see what they want if the law passes," Suddereth said. "We’re going to get that out as quickly as possible and give families as much time as they can.”
If passed, the bill would give school districts two weeks to plan before getting students back into classrooms safely, at least part-time. Schools would have to follow all safety guidelines, including 6 feet of distancing for students in middle schools and high schools.
Many other N.C. districts have already reopened in some fashion, even if in-person learning is only part-time. Wake County is bringing students back to classrooms beginning Monday, with a plan for pre-kindergarten through third-grade students to learn in-person daily and older grades rotating through one week in the classroom and two weeks online.
WRAL News will monitor the 5 p.m. Board of Education meeting.
