ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Orange County School District is getting a better idea of how many students and teachers plan to go back to a campus when school starts in August.
The district is still trying to figure out how many students it can expect at each individual school.
Nearly 34% of Orange County teachers reported that they prefer face-to-face learning or that they are OK with any back-to-school option.
Read: Orange County Public Schools to begin virtual classes for all students Aug. 10
Elementary school teacher Kristen Reilly is one of them.
“It’s not just standing up and teaching a lesson,” she said. “There are also kids that need that physical love from their teachers.”
So far, about 29% of students are enrolled in face-to-face learning.
Superintendent Barbara Jenkins said Orange County Public Schools is now working to find out if the teacher preferences and choice registration results align at the school level.
“Those who have health issues ought to be given first consideration for one of those positions,” Jenkins said.
Age will also be a factor.
“We should have far more available slots for teachers to work at home than just those who are 65 and over or with specific health issues,” Jenkins said. “Whether or not it will be enough for every teacher that wants to teach at home? I can’t tell you until the dust settles.”
Read: Orange County parents ‘blindsided’ by district’s decision to move up school start date
OCPS said teachers will have to be flexible and some may have to leave their assigned school to teach remotely.
The teacher’s union is negotiating who else gets priority.
Union president Wendy Doromal doesn’t think it’s safe to reopen yet. She said she said many teachers are scared.
Although the district is still awaiting a response on its waiver request to base reopening schools on local COVID-19 data. It likely will be addressed during Thursday’s school board and budget meeting.
Cox Media Group
