Very few Idaho schools will reopen this academic year under new state guidelines. The State Board of Education has voted to tie school openings with Governor Little's Rebound Idaho plan.
That means for May, no more than ten people will be allowed to gather, making it impossible for medium and large school districts to hold classes for the remainder of the semester. The State Board is now focused on what public schools will look like this fall, including how districts will handle rolling shutdowns and the possibility of a statewide online learning platform if schools are closed.
"It is a telling change in tone that we are haring from the State Board," said Kevin Richert from Idaho Education News. "For board members to talk publicly about not being able to reopen in the fall, or if we do open in the fall, we may have to adjust along the way."
As we reported, Nampa Christian School District did reopen this week after getting approval from the local health district. A few other districts, including Cascade, have started hosting small in-person classes for at-risk students.
The full Making the Grade interview on the recent State Board decisions can be watched below.
