Volusia County unanimously votes to push school start date to Aug. 31

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County School Board members voted Tuesday to push the upcoming school year’s start date back from Aug. 17 to Aug. 31.

The unanimous decision came in the middle of an emergency session that continued late into the evening as board members listened to hours of public comments.

The school district’s proposed plan offers three options: two virtual and one traditional with face-to-face instruction.

Families who choose the traditional option can expect to see temperature checks, more frequent cleaning, and increased distancing between desks.

The school board also reviewed a proposed mask policy to be voted on at a later date.

Any reopening plan finalized by the district will have to be approved by the state.

See our previous story below:

VIDEO: Volusia County weighs options for returning to school Volusia County Schools has pushed its start date back to Aug. 31.

Officials in Volusia County have yet to vote to finalize their back-to-school plan.

The district could decide to move the school start date back from August 17.

The county’s plan to reopen public schools is 66 pages long and offers two virtual options in addition to in-class learning.

Read: Volusia County Schools discuss reopening plans

The plan also details what parents can expect in wanting their kids to return to the classroom.

Students must wear masks and sit in assigned seats when being transported by a school bus. Students will also be encouraged to wear face masks on campus.

Desks will be disinfected by the student assigned to that desk under teacher supervision.

Read: 33 Central Florida high school football players, 5 coaches quarantined after 2 players test positive for COVID-19

If a student is exposed to COVID-19, the district said it will isolate that student, notify administration and then contact a parent or guardian for pick-up. A letter would also go out to parents of primary contacts and teachers once it’s confirmed the student does have the virus.

Anyone affected will quarantine and participate in virtual learning until they test negative for the virus.

The county’s virtual meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., which you can view here.

Read: Parents concerned about rush to reopen schools

Cox Media Group