In an effort to mitigate risks associated with COVID-19 and allow for more time to distribute digital devices, Shelby County Schools students won't start back until Aug. 31 — three weeks after the original start date of Aug. 10.
The delayed start date also means that families will be locked into their learning decision through the first week of February. Rather than the first semester ending traditionally before the start of winter break, it will instead end on Feb. 4. The district has asked parents to decide between in-person and virtual learning for the fall semester by the end of this week.
The board was split on the decision, moving forward in a 5-4 vote.
Board members raised concerns that the new calendar, which keeps fall break, may not account for potential spikes in COVID-19 cases due to the fall flu season, or could encourage family members to travel. Supporters pointed out that overwhelmed teachers will likely look forward to having fall break to recoup after what will undoubtedly be an untraditional and potentially stressful start to the school year.
Lingering questions: SCS reopening plan provides some answers, but parents still have questions
Superintendent Joris Ray attributed his proposal to the rise in COVID-19 cases in Shelby County and Gov. Bill Lee's extended state of emergency. Based on survey results, Ray put forth the calendar option keeping fall break, rather than an option eliminating it in favor of an earlier end to the upcoming school year.
Practically, the delayed start time will also allow for the district's digital devices to be distributed in time for the start of school. Although parents have been asked to choose between in-person and virtual learning by the end of the week, Ray said the school year could begin completely online. That decision, he said Monday, would be made within the next couple weeks.
Ray reiterated that decision in an interview Sunday with CNN.
"But if the numbers continue to climb the way that they are now, here in Shelby County, it's our job to keep students safe, and we'll go all virtual," Ray said, repeating what he told Chalkbeat Friday.
Watching numbers: If COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations keep spiking, SCS will start the school year online
After a vote in June, every SCS student will receive either a laptop or tablet, depending on their grade level. Students who need internet access will receive hotspots. Currently, the district is on track to distribute devices for middle and high school students by late August, theoretically in time for an Aug. 31 start date.
Students in preschool and elementary school are on track to receive devices between late August and early September.
District leaders said existing devices could be distributed to make up for any that don't arrive in time for the first day of school.
Board members, parents, teachers split on calendar decision
Like members of the school board, surveyed parents and teachers were also split on the decision between the two calendars, according to the district presentation.
Of the 12,981 parents and teachers surveyed, 7,356, or 56%, chose to delay the start of school and keep fall break. The remaining 5,625 voted for an option that would have removed fall break and ended school on June 9. Ray did not bring this option forth to the board.
Neither option would have placed the first semester ending before winter break, district leaders said Monday. Delaying the start of school by three weeks to Aug. 31 will also equally delay the last day of school to June 16 from May 26. Here are how other dates break down for the district:
- Returning teachers will still start back a week before the school year begins, on Aug. 24. New teachers will have orientation Aug. 21-22.
- Spring break will be delayed by two weeks, to March 29-April 2. In the previous calendar, the break was from March 15-19.
- Fall break (Oct. 12-16), Thanksgiving break (Nov. 23-27) and winter break (Dec. 21-Jan. 1) remain unchanged.
- At 90 days, the first semester will end in February, rather than ahead of winter break. Semester exams will take place Feb. 2-4. The second semester will be 85 days.
Board members Billy Orgel, Stephanie Love, Kevin Woods, Althea Greene and Miska Clay-Bibbs voted in favor of the calendar.
Members Michelle McKissack, Scott McCormick, Shante Avant and Joyce Dorse Coleman cast votes against the recommendation.
Earlier this summer, the district proposed that the board consider amendments to the school calendar to make up for learning loss. Options included amendments to the 175-day calendar, as well as suggestions for an additional 10 days in a 185-day calendar and an additional 15 days in a 190-day calendar, for a total of 14 variations.
Weekend school? SCS students may return in fall for a longer school year. But, class on Saturdays is unlikely
Ultimately, rather than bringing those options for a vote in the June meeting, the district announced it would offer optional learning dates during its scheduled breaks from school.
Ray petitions for cancelation of TNReady
Ideally, the delayed start date will not equate to lost learning time toward test prep for the state's TNReady testing in the spring.
On June 30, Ray sent a letter to state education commissioner Penny Schwinn requesting that the TNReady testing be canceled or that the district be held harmless for the outcomes. The district shared a copy of the letter with The Commercial Appeal.
In part, Ray wrote:
"Every educator will return to the schoolhouse this year with some degree of fear and anxiety about exposure to COVID-19 and its impact on the routines of the school day. My role as Superintendent is to mitigate this fear to the extent possible, provide for normalcy wherever it can be achieved, and equip and empower teachers to teach and students to learn.
"As such, I believe that teachers and students should be able to start school this year without the weighted pressures of TNReady and end of course exams hanging heavily over their heads. I also believe that I am duty-bound to formally make a request of Governor Lee, the General Assembly and the Commissioner of Education to cancel the test for this year, or, at minimum, disarm the punitive nature of the test and hold students, teachers, and schools harmless for the outcomes."
State lawmakers voted to cancel the testing requirement for the most recent school year in March.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Laura Testino covers education and children's issues for the Commercial Appeal. Reach her at laura.testino@commercialappeal.com or 901-512-3763. Find her on Twitter: @LDTestino
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