Hillsborough Schools To Reopen Aug. 24 Despite Growing Concerns

TAMPA, FL — Following a lengthy discussion and comment from more than 20 parents and educators at a special meeting Thursday, the Hillsborough County School Board voted 5-2 to delay the start of school by two weeks.

Schools will open on Aug. 24 instead of Aug. 10.

Board members Tamara Shamburger and Karen Perez voted against reopening brick-and-mortar schools, urging the district to educate students online for the first nine weeks of the school year.

At the same meeting, the school board approved Superintendent Addison Davis's school reopening plan, which must be submitted to the state for approval by the end of July.

Board member Cindy Stuart said she was only voting in favor of reopening schools because the Florida Department of Education has ordered all counties to reopen schools in August to receive state funding.

"We're just doing what Tallahassee has asked us to do," said Stuart. She said she's not convinced that the school district can keep students and staff safe in school and would like to hear more testimony from medical professionals.

Shamburger dismissed the argument that parents don't have to send their children back to school. Parents can choose online learning through the child’s assigned school or Hillsborough Virtual School.

"The vote is not about parent choice; it’s about the greater duty to ensure that our staff and students are safe. Until there is an assurance of safety, there is no choice. It’s a deflection from the real issues," she said. "Opening our school buildings is not an option at this time. There are too many questions. We’re putting politics over people. It’s shameful."

Perez, who works in the health care industry at a hospital, agreed.

"I receive coronavirus training three times a week and I’m a professional," she said. "How many times will staff receive instruction in the schools while working in closed rooms in close contact?"

Davis said that would have to be part of collective bargaining discussions with the Classroom Teachers Association because staff would have to be compensated for their time.

The majority of speakers at the special meeting urged the school board to err on the side of safety.

"What is the acceptable number of students, teachers and staff who have to die before you go to e-learning and close schools?" asked Jessica Harrington, a middle school civics teacher. "The governor is wrong. Until we have a way to test everyone and get immediate results, there’s no safe way to open our schools. There is no way to follow the CDC guidelines. Why are you asking us to put our lives at risk?"

"Colds and viruses move through our classrooms very quickly," said Jessica Kendal, an elementary school music teacher for 17 years. "There’s no reason to think coronavirus won’t do the same. We’re playing a very dangerous game of chance."

But parent Cynthia Barrow Simmons said she speaks for the many parents who don't have an option because they have to work and can't be home to monitor their children's online learning.

"My children need the brick-and-mortar experience," she said. "It’s where they learn and thrive best."

Davis conceded that the state has given school districts no other option but to open schools if they want to receive the state funding school districts depend on.

"We’ve been placed in a no-win situation," he said.

At the same time, he said the school district isn't prepared to go to all online learning.

"There's a lot of angst about internet providers and whether there are enough hot spots for all children to learn online," he said, adding that the school district has yet to work out agreements with the county's major internet providers, Spectrum and Frontier, to ensure that economically challenged families have access.

Nevertheless, Davis acknowledged there's a lot of questions about safely reopening schools as Hillsborough County coronavirus numbers continue to rise. He said that was evident in the number of parents and teachers who failed to turn in a declaration of intent indicating whether they'd be attending a brick-and-mortar school or opting for online education.

Forty-nine percent (62,768) of parents chose brick-and-mortar schools; 42 percent (53,810) of parents chose the e-learning option; 9 percent (10,732) chose Hillsborough Virtual School; and 32.7 percent (61,990) didn't respond.

When teachers were asked, 58 percent (6,780) said they wanted to return to the classroom; 37 percent (4,302) chose e-learning; 4 percent (446) chose virtual school; 1 percent (131) said they plan to resign or retire; and 22 percent (3,277) didn't respond.

Courtesy Hillsborough County Schools

See related stories:

• Hillsborough School Board Grapples With School Reopening Mandate
• FL Education Commissioner, Local Boards Clash Over Who's In Charge Of Reopening Schools During Pandemic
• Fla., Education Commissioner Says Media Misreported His Emergency Order; Will Not Retract Directive
• Mayors Give Florida Governor Feedback On School Reopenings