Cooper order clears way for CMS to pursue either hybrid or full remote learning model

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools may choose to implement either a fully-remote learning option or a hybrid in-person model at a reduced capacity for the 2020-2021 school year, under guidelines issued by Gov. Roy Cooper Tuesday.

The governor said that schools must maintain six feet of social distancing for in-person learning. The state earlier asked districts to develop a Plan A, B and C, corresponding to minimal, moderate and maximum social distancing. Cooper opted for a statewide baseline of Plan B, but left the option of pursuing remote-only instruction up to school districts.

“We know schools will look a lot different this year,” Cooper said. “They have to in order to be safe.”

CMS board members now have to vote on which option to pursue for the upcoming school year. Currently, Mecklenburg County remains a hotspot for coronavirus in North Carolina, with roughly 15,000 confirmed cases and more than 150 deaths.

Cooper said that schools may open with remote-only instruction, despite a requirement from the General Assembly that the first week of school must be in person. Cooper said a letter from the state Department of Justice ruled that the governor’s office has the emergency authority to allow schools to conduct first week virtually.

Face coverings will be required for all students from kindergarten through high school. The state will provide up to five face coverings for every student, teacher and employee. Symptom screenings will take place daily before students are allowed into buildings. School districts will also be required to create isolation plans for students who are suspected to be ill.

State Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen said that a positive test in a school doesn’t mean the school will immediately close. Instead, contact tracing and testing will be one of the responses to try and contain the spread.

Cooper said that protecting teachers and employees was a top priority, and encouraged all district leaders to meet with them while making decisions about the fall.

State officials emphasized the importance for members of the public to keep wearing masks, social distancing and washing hands to keep case numbers at a level that would allow schools to safely reopen without overwhelming local health systems. Cooper said that there were risks to not returning to in-person instruction as well, as schools serve as places for socio-emotional development, steady meals and the first line of defense in reporting child abuse or other troubles at home.

“The most important opening is that of our classroom doors,” Cooper said. “We want to be done with this pandemic, but it’s not done with us.”

Earlier, the American Academy of Pediatrics said that it “strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school.” But it has since walked back that recommendation, arguing for a more flexible approach for schools in areas with high COVID-19 numbers, based on local guidance.

Schools in North Carolina have been closed to in-person instruction since mid-March. The state is currently in Phase 2 of its reopening plan — and on Tuesday, Cooper ordered another three-week extension of those restrictions, rather than moving into Phase 3 on July 17 as originally planned.

CMS had earlier developed three plans for reopening. The hybrid model presented to the public earlier this month would split most grades into three rotational groups. Students would follow and A, B and C week schedule, rotating through two weeks of remote learning and one week of in person instruction.

At the high school level, students in grades nine through 11 will also follow a three-week rotational schedule, but will have remote learning on all Fridays. For seniors, classes will be remote every week except for Fridays, which will be in person.

The three-group rotational plan allows the district to balance social distancing needs in classrooms and in transportation, as buses will have to operate with one student per seat, as opposed to the usual two or three. Families with multiple children in CMS can be grouped by their home address to allow all students to be assigned into the same rotation, for minimal scheduling conflicts, the district said earlier.

Any family in CMS can opt for a fully remote learning experience, in grades K-8, operating as a school-within-a-school model with no changes to school assignments. Students with special needs and English language learners would continue to have access to necessary accommodations, CMS said.

This story was originally published July 14, 2020 at 3:14 PM.