Alabama schools to reopen in fall season, says state superintendent

Alabama K-12 schools will reopen during the fall season, although with limitations and other adjustments varying by local districts, said state superintendent of education Dr. Eric Mackey.

A press conference was held today with Mackey saying that remote and virtual learning will be available as schools begin the journey to opening back up in the 2020-2021 year amid the coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout the state a number of parents have voiced concerns about sending children back to school, with 15% saying that they are not comfortable with the idea. The concerns have varied district by district, some overwhelmingly in support of sending children back while others favor virtual or remote learning.

Mackey said that local schools will adjust for social distancing and focusing on sanitizing and may require face masks for students depending on the district.

The Alabama State Department of Education has titled this effort “The Roadmap to Reopening Schools”. A PDF with more details can be seen online.

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“Looking forward to the 2020-2021 school year, we know that many challenges lie

ahead,” Mackey and State Health Officer Scott Harris jointly commented in the document. “Some of them we can anticipate but new ones are bound to arise along the way.”

“This planning document is not intended to answer all questions, nor can it even anticipate all questions that will arise. This document will, however, assist educators, school leaders, support staff, and health professionals in planning for the upcoming school year.”

A parents guide to the “Roadmap to Reopening Schools” can be seen here. For more updates by the state education department, visit the web page.