The Putnam County Schools should not have to extend the school year because of the coronavirus.
Interim Director of Schools Corby King said the system plans to resume instruction April 1. That could be in classrooms or through the use of technology.
“With the extended time that we’ve closed already, we know that we will ask and that we’ve already been told we’ll be granted the waiver so that we don’t have to make up the days,” King said. “Since we’re going to start providing services April 1, we’ll be able to count those days. So I feel pretty confident that we’re not going to have to make those up.”
King added things can change as officials continue to receive guidance from federal and state officials. The waiver on missed days would be provided by the state Department of Education.
The school system’s final day is scheduled now for May 22.
Meantime, school officials have spent the past day and a half examining options to teach young people in the coming days. Administrators will meet with teachers when they return Monday.
“There’s some teachers that are concerned, I know, about meeting as a whole faculty,” King said. “We’re going to break that into smaller groups and look at what resources we have available to provide remote teaching.”
King said administrators are working this week to provide devices and connectivity to households that may not have it. Buses could be used to deliver work packets to students.
“Health and safety is our primary concern, but we also want to provide a continuation of educational services as much as possible,” King said.
The school system will roll out more details on its April 1 plan in the coming days. King also said the system plans to make breakfast and lunch service available to all Putnam County youth, 18 years of age or younger, beginning next week.
Drive-thru services at select schools as well as delivery to central locations are both being examined. A plan will be announced later in the week.