Lee County School Board, reopening task force discuss 2020-21 plan

We continue to learn more about what the 2020-21 school year will look like during the coronavirus pandemic. The School District of Lee County’s reopening task force must work on its new plan after the emergency order from the state gave a new directive for all Florida schools.

The task force met with the Lee County School Board on Wednesday to continue the discussion about how schools will open in the fall. One of the main talking points at the meeting were the options parents and students have for the return in August.

Options on the table:

• Send kids back to school five days a week
• Enroll them in virtual school
• Home school them
• Enroll them in a new program “Lee Home Connect”

The newly-offered “Lee Home Connect” raised many questions at the task force meeting. For grades K-5, kids have the option to stay home, and a virtual teacher will be with them live online. For grades 6-12, teachers will teach in-person and online. For example, if a teacher has seven periods, the teacher could teach five in-person classes and two virtual classes to students at home.

The first step to figuring out the need is to look at the numbers but some board members aren’t so sure the district’s surveys are all that accurate. Teachers, parents, and students were required to confirm if they wanted to return to school prior to a reopening plan being solidified.

“You mentioned coming back, but they need to know what coming back looks like,” board member Gwyn Gittens said.

Teachers weigh in on school plans