Hoover Schools To Delay Start For 2 Weeks

HOOVER, AL — Hoover City Schools will delay the start if the academic year by two weeks, starting August 20 rather than August 6. The decision was made Monday night by the Hoover Board of Education amid concerns over the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Jefferson County.

When school does start Aug. 20, students in grades 3-12 will be required to wear face coverings. Students in grades K-2 will be encouraged to wear face coverings but not required. Students can remove masks to eat meals or exercise only.

The decision comes during a time when Alabama has been one of the hot spots for the spread of COVID-19, and Jefferson County has reported more new cases of the virus in the last two weeks than any other county in the state.

Hoover schools Superintendent Kathy Murphy said the system-wide survey sent out last week found that 71 percent of parents, 75 percent of school system employees and 63 percent of administrators were in favor of face coverings. As well, 45 percent of parents, 57 percent of employees and 53 percent of administrators were in favor of delaying the start of the school year.

See Hoover's reopening plan here.