NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Metro Nashville Public Schools officials say they are “prepared for the possibility that in-person classes can’t happen" in August if the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise.
MNPS released a statement Thursday morning after Mayor John Cooper announced the city would return to a “modified” Phase Two as new cases skyrocket.
Director of Schools Dr. Adrienne Battle said they’re currently finalizing policies and protocols so students can return to class on August 4th. However, she said they’re also preparing for the possibility that it won’t happen.
They plan to resume school either in-person with a virtual component or all virtually. Masks will be required in most circumstances when schools resume in-person. MNPS officials also said they've purchased 1.5 million disposable masks for students and 20,000 masks for teachers.
The district says it will release more details about its reopening plan next week.
Read Dr. Battle’s full statement below:
“The announcement by Mayor Cooper today puts into greater focus the reality that COVID-19 is still very much a public health threat and is going to be a factor in our lives for the foreseeable future. Planning for the 2020-21 school year has been underway for months, with our teams meeting all day every day this week to finalize policies and protocols that will allow us to successfully open Aug. 4.
“Our goal has been to offer in-person classes and virtual options for those families who want it, but we will also be prepared for the possibility that in-person classes can’t happen at the start of the school year due to COVID-19. Whichever scenario we are in, offering a rigorous, high-quality education with explicit expectations and requirements is a non-negotiable. We plan to do so in a way that addresses the social-emotional needs of our students and recognizes the difficulty and challenges that these times have presented to our families and staff.”
