As we await a decision from Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Department of Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran regarding schools re-opening in the fall,
I wanted to update you on what our district is working on in the meantime. Although we will not be making the final decision at the local level we must be prepared for any and all scenarios.
I have established a task force charged with advising staff and securing community feedback ahead of any decision made by the state of Florida. The goal of the Re-Opening Task Force is to have
recommendations for each possible re-opening scenario ready to execute prior to a final decision by Governor DeSantis and Commissioner Corcoran. We believe that state leadership will decide between three options for our schools to operate under in August and
a fourth option to consider if circumstances change after re-opening:
·
Option 1-One Hundred percent of Leon County Schools students would return for the
2020-2021 school year in-person and on campus.
·
Option 2-A hybrid model where some students return to brick and mortar school sites
and some students would participate through a distance learning model—or a variation of schedules for on campus and distance learning.
·
Option 3-All students participate through a distance learning model.
·
Option 4-All students return to school in August, a second outbreak if the virus
occurs later in the year and students are again sent home.
Leon County Schools staff has continued meeting with parents, principals and community members this week receiving feedback, suggestions, and concerns. Individual
work groups of the Re-Opening Task Force will meet during the first week of June and the Task Force’s final recommendations for each option will be presented to the Leon County School Board at the June 16 meeting.
I understand how difficult it has been for everyone involved. We know how much our students want to return their schools, to visit with their friends, and
get back to a state of normalcy—we want the same. We will be prepared for the governor’s decision and ready to act with a vetted plan. Until then, please know that the safety of our community will remain our number one focus.
Thank you for your patience, flexibility, compassion and grace during these past weeks.
Sincerely,
Rocky Hanna
*SUNSHINE LAW AND PUBLIC RECORDS CAUTION: Florida has a very broad Public Records Law. Virtually all written communications to or from School Board of Leon County, Florida Personnel are public records available to the public and media upon
request. E-mail sent or received on the LCSB system will be considered public and will only be withheld from disclosure if deemed confidential pursuant to State Law. Individual student records are deemed confidential.