This morning, Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly introduced a bill that requires all public school systems to provide at least some form of in-person instruction.
Click Here to Read Senate Bill 37
Here’s the key language:
Local boards of education shall provide the option of in-person instruction under Plan A (Minimal Social Distancing) or Plan B (Moderate Social Distancing) for all other students enrolled in grades kindergarten through 12 in that unit. It shall be in the discretion of the local board whether in-person instruction shall be provided under Plan A (Minimal Social Distancing), Plan B (Moderate Social Distancing), or both Plans as necessary to address the needs of different school. Local boards of education shall continue to provide remote instruction options for students to elect to participate in, at the discretion of the parent or guardian, for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.
Note that you can still keep your kids at home, if you choose to. It’s up to the family, not the government.
Something else happened today:
Governor Cooper and Mandy Cohen actually recommended that schools re-open. This is a first. The timing is not a coincidence.
“It’s time to get students back into the classroom,” Gov. Roy Cooper said.
Well, then get them back in the classroom. You can do it with the stroke of a pen, Mr. Governor.
Instead, Cooper will continue his tap dance:
“I don’t think that’s the way to go,” Cooper said of the bill Tuesday. “I think the way to go is to get our local school boards to take this action. … They have to make some very tough decisions on the ground.”
I’m having trouble with his logic. Cooper shut down the schools. He can open them back up. Why force local boards to carry your political baggage for you?
What it Means
Roy Cooper has flown the banner of “public education” his entire political career. If he honestly believes in his heart that it is safe for kids to be in school, then he should do something about it.
On that note, if our “fearless leader” believes that it’s safe for kids to be in school, then she should do something about it.
I’ve got a suggestion. Instead of giving another press conference, try swinging by a school board meeting in Cumberland County (you can do it virtually) and educating our members about the science you love to tout when it supports closures, but not so much when it justifies getting things back open.
Instead Cooper and Cohen want to make everyone happy, simultaneously.
It’s a ridiculous dance, and it won’t work.
It never does.
Cross Creek Divide 