CMS Board emergency meeting on Zoom began at 2 pm July 30
July 30. By Dave Yochum. At an emergency meeting this afternoon, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education scrapped plans for Plan B + Remote and voted unanimously in favor of full remote learning. It means the original plan for students to go back to school on a rotating basis for just two weeks has been cancelled in favor of full remote learning starting Aug. 17.
“We want our students and teachers in school but only when it is safe to do so,” said CMS Superintendent Earnest Winston. “I recognize the tremendous burdens placed on families and staff.”
CMS SUPERINTENDENT EARNEST WINSTON
How working parents cope with remote learning is a matter of nationwide discussion. “Pandemic pods” are an option—for those who can afford them. For the working poor pods may not be an option.
There were new 45 deaths due to COVID-19 in yesterday’s NC Dept. of Health & Human Services statewide update. It was the largest daily death toll so far. The total number of people hospitalized statewide also set a record yesterday: 1,291, up 47 from the day before.
The board decision took place at an emergency meeting at 2 pm today to reconsider how school resumes Aug. 17.
Winston said, beyond providing a safe environment, there are not enough key staffers to relaunch school as per Plan B + Remote, including bus drivers, nurses, custodians and teachers. For example, 70 members of the transportation staff self-quarantined in July, Winston said.
The data in some cases seems to be peaking. Hospitalizations today fell from the high of 1,291 on Wednesday to 1,239 today, a decline of 52.
“Seeing glimmers of potential progress does not mean we can let up—it means it’s time to double down,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, MD.
A medical advisory council will help decide how and when to reopen, Winston said. White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci this week said children older than 9 years old can spread the coronavirus as well as adults.
CMS is in the position of making the best decision for 150,000 students, some from upscale suburbs, some from challenging settings, some literally homeless. Roughly 3,000 students “disappeared” when schools closed in March because of COVID-19.
