Durham Public Schools may delay return to in-person classes after Cooper’s veto

Students in Durham Public Schools could return to in-person instruction up to four weeks later than planned, now that Gov. Roy Cooper has vetoed a school-reopening bill.

On Thursday, the DPS Board of Education discussed delaying reopening classrooms beyond the March 15 date members approved last week, with some board members saying they want to give teachers more time to get vaccinated.

They spoke before Cooper vetoed Senate Bill 37 Friday, which would have required local districts to offer in-person instruction, the board tabled a decision.

Cooper had until Saturday, Feb. 27, to sign it, veto it or take no action, when it would become law by default, The News & Observer reported.

The board called a special meeting for 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, to resume the discussion after seeing what Cooper does.

If SB 37 had become law, it would have required local districts to begin in-person instruction within 15 days.

Thursday’s meeting brought in 561 public comments, with a mix of parents and school employees for and against the board’s decision last week on re-opening schools. Most of the comments expressed disapproval.

Board member Natalie Beyer said she thought the governor would veto the bill, which could buy the school system more time to strengthen its plan.

“I think we’ve picked this date because the General Assembly picked this date. This wasn’t the Durham date,” Beyer said about a March 15 start date. “I really appreciate the work that we put towards vaccinations, but I hear very much that our community would support, and our parents would support our teachers having the chance to be fully vaccinated before coming back in person.”

Board members Matt Sears and Beyer suggested moving the start date to April 7, around when middle and high school students are currently scheduled to return.

Teacher vaccinations underway

Wednesday was the first day the state’s teachers could receive the coronavirus vaccine. Since the vaccine rollout began in December, the state has focused on Group 1 (health care workers and long-term care staff and residents) and Group 2 (adults over the age of 65).

The school district’s efforts with Durham County and Duke Health to vaccinate 1,000 school personnel a week are underway.

As of Thursday, 205 employees have received their first dose of the vaccine with 1,023 more appointments scheduled through Monday, DPS Superintendent Pascal Mubenga said.

After discussing whether to vote on the issue Thursday, the board agreed to wait a few days until Cooper acted on the bill.

“By Tuesday, we should have more information,” said Chair Bettina Umstead. “I think we are seeing ourselves wrestling right now with not as much information that we need to make this decision.”

According to a district-wide survey on learning preferences, 51% of parents support virtual learning, 38% support in-person instruction, while 10% did not respond, Mubenga said.

Meanwhile, a total of 999 school personnel have asked the district to work remotely or for special accommodations based on medical or child care concerns.

Such requests must be approved by the district, according to Chip Sudderth, a DPS spokesperson.

At a Durham County commissioners meeting Monday, the county’s public health director committed to setting 700 shots aside for school personnel.

“Not that we’re forgetting those individuals who are still in Group 1 and 2,” Dr. Rod Jenkins said Monday. “We have set aside a day to make sure that we can make up the difference.”