Huge decision today at 2pm. Palm Beach County school board will vote on a reopening plan for 2020-21 academic year.

Superintendent Dr. Donald Fennoy recommended that all schools in the county start with online distance learning.

http://palmbeachschools.org 

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Backstory: Superintendent Donald Fennoy’s plan called for district’s 174,000 students to start school year with distance learning, then staggered return to in-person instruction only when cases drop, and county moves into Phase 2 of state’s reopening plan. @WLRN #COVID19 #Florida

Right now, board Chair Frank Barbieri sharing a private story shared by a citizen:

"...when did common courtesy become politically incorrect..."the virus is not conservative. It is not liberal."

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Superintendent Dr. Donald Fennoy opening statement:

"...while opinions run the gamut, all of the people have one thing in common: Their passion about our children and the future of education in Palm Beach County..."

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Public comment: First comment, woman is in support of keeping schools online. She cites evidence from Dr.Alina Alonso.

"County is heading in the wrong direction and is failing all of the benchmark."

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Public: Randy Maale, a retired law enforcement executive, says he's advocating for families with special needs children "that cannot learn from an online system."

There are "needs that can't be met virtually." Says delay classes.

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Public: Mrs. Victoria Burgess, who has a 5-year-old, says "one size does not fit all."

An "option should be available for those that think otherwise."

"What about jobs that can't be done remotely."

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Public comment: " Silma Mora says many kids
"only eat the meal the schools offer them"

"Not all of us have the privilege of working at home."

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Public comment: Jake Rose says the board has to consider population density, impoverished, and migrant areas, and specifically mentions the Glades area - he says they're often forgotten in the decision-making.

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Filed for radio: PBC School Board Chair Frank Barbieri, during today's meeting, said Dr. Alina Alonso was silenced by State health officials about distance learning.

"She got a call from the surgeon general of the state of Florida that told her to keep her mouth shut..." @WLRN

Discussing Now: Board member Barbara McQuinn proposes an amendment to delay school to September 8 to... "delay reopening to give teachers more time to prepare for virtual teaching"...and give students more time, wifi in homes, parents more time to make arrangements. @WLRN

After hours of public comment and a brief discussion between board members about the implications behind a delayed reopening date, the Palm Beach County School board meeting is experiencing technical difficulties.

No decision has been made yet. As of right now, no signal.
@WLRN

The Palm Beach County school board meeting is back on the air.

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The Palm Beach County school board is going through the logistics and expectations behind distance learning.

Students would have a minimum of 24 hours to complete any assignments; schedule would mirror bell schedule.

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Right now, board member Erica Whitfield agrees with Barbara McQuinn about delaying the start of the upcoming academic school year.

She is concerned about lack of computers for kids.

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