‘I am confident it can be done': Florida education officials meet with Gov. DeSantis to discuss reopening schools

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Board of Education met Wednesday with Gov. Ron DeSantis to discuss the reopening of Florida schools and the distribution of CARES Act funding.

Commissioner Richard Corcoran provided an update to the board more than a week after he issued an emergency order that schools must be open at least five days per week for all students in August, “subject to advice and orders” given by the Department of Health and local health departments.

READ: Orange County Public Schools tables decision on reopening plan until Friday

“If a parent would like to have their child in a brick and mortar classroom with a teacher in front of them five days a week, they absolutely should have that option,” Corcoran said.

DeSantis said he has no plans to change his mind on reopening schools, leaving it up to the parents to decide what is best and to the district to decide the best way to do it.

“I am confident it can be done,” he said.

He said that it is more detrimental for kids not to be in school for their social skills and mental health.

School districts across Central Florida have spent the last two weeks refining their reopening plans, which include offering in person and virtual school, and in some cases push back start dates to allow for more preparation.

Watch the discussion in full below:

Read the latest updates from Central Florida school districts below:

• Orange County Public Schools tables decision on reopening plan until Friday
• Osceola County approves postponing school year to start Aug. 24
• Seminole County Public Schools approves back-to-school plan, later start date
• Sumter County schools weigh in-person, online teaching for upcoming school year
• Brevard County approves back-to-school plan as some residents ask for delayed start

Stay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates.

Video: Osceola County approves postponing school year to start Aug. 24 Osceola County school leaders approved to delay the start of the 2020-2021 school year by two weeks, to August 24.

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