California is experiencing an alarming surge in coronavirus cases, leaving Governor Gavin Newsom no choice but to shut down businesses throughout the state. Keeping in line with the governor's decision, two of the state's largest school districts have announced that they would not open their facilities for students in the fall, but will organize online classes.
Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner wrote a letter to parents, noting that America's second-largest school district has decided to resume online classes citing the rise in coronavirus cases. Beutner said that their decision to close school facilities before the virus could spread among teachers, student, and other staff members proved to be the right call.
He attributed making the right decision to relying on science for guidance at the time, adding that they will continue basing their decision on science. Beutner pointed out that the virus is spreading in the LA area and it will impact how the new school year starts.
The new school year, which is slated to begin on Aug. 19, will not require students to return to school facilities, Beutner explained, adding that the health and safety of those in the school community can't be compromised. Last week, the United Teachers Los Angeles union released a poll of over 18,000 members, with 83 percent of them voting against physically reopening schools next month, Fox 11 reported.
In an interview with the station, UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz said they are upset about the fact that the student will not return to classrooms in the fall. Myart-Cruz noted that the decision is equally hard on the students, as well as their parents who have accepted the duty of teaching while dealing with the economic fallout of these unprecedented times.
Myart-Cruz noted that their focus is on ensuring the safety of their students, teachers, and other staff members, adding that they are committed to focusing on improving distance learning. On July 13, San Diego Unified announced that it would kick off the new school year online, according to a Fox 5 report.
The district released a statement noting that a major portion of the research is still incomplete, and several guidelines are vague and contradictory. The statement pointed out that the countries that have managed to reopen schools' safety have done so in the wake of declining coronavirus cases, and high on-demand testing availability, adding that California has neither of them.
In the statement, San Diego Unified noted that the increasing coronavirus cases indicate that the pandemic is far from over. The district also confirmed that it will start remote learning for San Diego students from Aug. 31.