NC GOP leaders call for schools to start Aug. 17, as Cooper delays school announcement
North Carolina Republican leaders are citing advice from the nation’s leading pediatric group to urge that students return to school in August instead of staying home for more online instruction.
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper was expected to announce Wednesday which of three plans will be used by public schools for the start of the fall semester: minimal social distancing, moderate social distancing or remote learning only.
Tuesday night, Cooper said he would have a press conference at 3 p.m. Wednesday but would not include a schools announcement.
In a press release Tuesday, state Senate Republicans cited the guidance given by the American Academy of Pediatrics that “strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school.”
“We urge Gov. Cooper to follow the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics and reopen schools on August 17 for in-classroom instruction.” GOP Sens. Deanna Ballard of Watauga County and Joyce Krawiec of Forsyth County said in the news release.
Catherine Truitt, the Republican candidate for state superintendent, also cited the academy’s advice in a press release Tuesday, saying that the decision about reopening should be made by school districts. Truitt said Cooper will likely issue “a ‘one-size-fits-none’ dictate that just won’t work for our schools and our students.”
“Local school board members and superintendents know the needs and challenges facing their communities far better than someone sitting inside the Raleigh beltway,” Truit, the chancellor of Western Governors University North Carolina, an online university, said in the release. “It is imperative that we allow local leaders to make local decisions, that parents be engaged in the process, and that our re-opening plan give students the hope they need to succeed.
“Then the State should respect whatever decision each school system makes and provide the support and guidance the system needs.”
School districts and charter schools across North Carolina are working on plans for how to reopen schools after having been closed since mid-March to try to slow the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Partisan divide over reopening
Cooper’s restrictions on what businesses can reopen and a requirement that masks be worn in public have led to a partisan divide.
Democrats have rallied around Cooper. Jen Mangrum, the Democratic candidate for state superintendent, said she remains confident in Cooper’s leadership.
“We’ve seen what’s happened in states like Texas and Florida when leaders ignore health officials and make impulsive decisions,” Mangrum said in an email. “North Carolina can’t take risks with the well-being of our children. In addition to a child’s academic growth, I am equally concerned about the physical, social and emotional health of all our children, teachers and parents.”
The Republican-led General Assembly has passed multiple bills to try to ease the reopening restrictions. Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, the GOP candidate for governor, says he plans to sue Cooper and has called the school reopening plan “nonsensical.”
Under Plan A, schools would reopen at full capacity but with steps such as daily temperature and screening checks of students and staff before they can enter the building. School employees, middle school students and high school students would be required to wear face coverings on campus.
Under Plan B, schools would operate at no more than 50% capacity. Options being considered include having students rotate in and out on a weekly or a daily basis or having some students go to class daily while others would only receive instruction online.
Under Plan C, schools would continue with remote instruction until conditions improve to allow students back on campus.
Schools can use a more restrictive plan than what Cooper decides. It can’t be less restrictive though.
This story was originally published June 30, 2020 at 3:58 PM.
