South Carolina State Senate Minority Leader Nikki Setlzer (D) said on Wednesday that the state is not prepared for students to return for in-person instruction safely, as Governor Henry McMaster ( A) Urged schools to reopen students for Labor Day.
“We are not currently prepared for students to return safely,” Setzler said, according to WLTX. “That’s where the gap is and what needs to be addressed is the safety of the students, the safety of the teachers, staff and all members of the community.”
The governor said Wednesday that schools should give parents a choice of in-person instruction five days a week. He said each district will be required to submit a plan that includes such an option, and directed state Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman not to approve any district plans that do not offer an option for in-person instruction.
Seltzer said his message to Spearman would be “take it easy” regarding the reopening of schools amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“My message to her would be to take it easy, take it deliberately, have a plan from the state level of what the minimum safety requirements should be, and if it takes longer to do it properly and safely, postpone it when school starts,” she said. Setzler, according to WLTX.
Spearman reportedly did not attend McMaster’s press conference, although the governor said he had been invited. Spearman also released a statement at the same time that reopening decisions must be made by local officials and that parents must choose between in-person and virtual instruction.
“School leaders, in consultation with public health experts, are best positioned to determine how operations should be conducted in person to meet the needs of their local communities,” Spearman said in a statement, according to The State. “I remain committed to supporting them in this effort and will only approve those plans that offer high-quality options and maintain safety as their top priority.”
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