Will schools start in July? That’s likely up to your district to decide

Nearly all students throughout California have been physically out of brick-and-mortar schools since mid-March, relying on distance learning to finish off the school year.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Tuesday he was concerned students were experiencing “learning loss” during the pandemic.

Newsom then announced that schools can physically reopen as early as July in an effort to help students who experienced a significant loss of instruction.

But unless Newsom makes that a directive, a change in school calendars will be entirely up to school districts, and subject to collective bargaining.

Sacramento schools chief David Gordon said a workgroup is looking at multiple scenarios on behalf of all districts to determine what schools will look like in the fall, including how many students will be in each classroom or building, and if and how playgrounds will be used. The Sacramento County Office of Education oversees 13 school districts in the region.

“The role we play will be as a convener of the districts to think through the options,” Gordon said. “And we will provide scenarios and options for districts to consider. Some may buy into them and some may not.”

Shannan Brown, executive director of the San Juan Teachers Association, said her union has heard from several of its 2,300 members-- most of them concerned about safety. Brown said her teachers union will move forward with plans that meet guidelines put out by health care experts.

“Our priorities are safety, safety, and safety for our staff and students,” Brown said. “There are complex and multifaceted issues and moving the timeline up puts more pressure. If we can’t open safely, then our association will not support it.”

Brown said with the constant change in health recommendations and the evolving current local situation, there are too many uncertainties on what the summer will bring. If the health situation permits, schools could develop robust summer programs to help students with learning loss. The teachers union wants to know if the state will help secure personal protective equipment for school districts at the start of the school year, and if the state will have enough funding to start earlier, and hire more teachers to cut class sizes for additional preventive measures.

But school districts building their budgets are currently working with a lot of uncertainty - unaware of what cuts will be made in the coming weeks, and how much federal or state relief will be coming their way.

In an email to the community, Natomas Unified Superintendent Chris Evans painted a picture of financial uncertainty.

“This financial crisis is real,” he wrote. “And every district and agency will be touched. Natomas Unified will not be spared budget cuts. Typically by now, we have a pretty good idea of what we have in terms of revenue for 2020-21. This pandemic has changed all of that. I cannot tell you how bad the budget will be, I can just tell you it will be bad.”

Brown said the uncertainty puts the school districts and teachers in a precarious situation.

“If money was available to reduce class sizes and extend the calendar, it would be a huge relief, but I think we need more information,” Brown said. “If schools are supposed to be reduced in funding, how are we supposed to start earlier? There are a lot of competing interests.”

Gordon stressed that decisions on whether to start school earlier have not been made. If the health and safety of students and staff cannot be met, school districts cannot start any earlier than they have already scheduled.

Sacramento City Teachers Association officers said there are too many unknowns to think schools can safely open in July.

“We have to let science guide our decisions about when it’s safe to reopen schools,” officials said. “But no matter what happens it’s important for school districts to work constructively with teachers to produce the best outcomes for kids.”

The SCTA said Newsom will need to do more to ensure that school districts abide by his labor management framework that encourages collaborations between teachers and administration.

Gordon also said his workgroup recognized distance learning may need to be a continued option for families who worry that close contact in schools can contribute to a new surge of coronavirus cases.

“There are some parents who are not comfortable regardless of how well thought out some of the configuration is,” he said.

Those decisions will look different district by district.

“It depends on how overwhelming that concern is,” Gordon said. “Our districts would not want to lose their families because they are not meeting a particular need. But that’s another logistical issue that I think will come up.”

This story was originally published May 1, 2020 at 2:09 PM with the headline "Will schools start in July? That’s likely up to your district to decide."