Whitmer Announces Next Steps For Michigan Schools

MICHIGAN — Michigan schools may resume in-person learning under Phase 4 of the MI Safe Start plan, with strict safety measures in place, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday at a news conference.

The governor announced that on June 30 she will release an executive order and a robust document called “Michigan’s Return to School Roadmap” that will provide details on what will be required and recommended for schools. Whitmer also highlighted the need for support and flexibility from the federal government to help ensure resources for students and educators.

"One of the No. 1 questions that I have gotten since we had to take our kids out of school is whether or not they will return to school this fall," Whitmer said. "And I completely understand as the mom of a daughter who is supposed to be starting her senior year.

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Michigan has seen more than 60,000 cases of the coronavirus as of Tuesday. The state has also seen nearly 5,800 deaths attributed to the virus. While alarming, the numbers have grown optimism as the number of newly reported cases has dwindled each day. As of Friday, more than 44,000 people had recovered from the virus.

As more businesses reopen, Whitmer said the question of whether to open schools has been posed often.

"I know how important it is for students and their families and educators to make sure that we get this right," Whitmer said. "With the entire state of Michigan in Phase 4 of the MI Safe Start Plan, we are optimistic that schools will be able to conduct in-person instruction, while also complying with strict safety measures."

The Return to School plan will align closely with the MI Safe Start Plan, Whitmer said. She said she will consider the six phases of the MI Safe Start Plan and the Michigan Economic Recover Council’s eight regions of the state to determine when, where and how face-to-face instruction can resume.

The Roadmap will set the minimum health and safety requirements, although districts may choose to enact more aggressive ones in consultation with local public health officials, Whitmer said. These minimum requirements will apply to all schools, including traditional public, charter, private and parochial schools.

In May, Whitmer signed an executive order creating the COVID-19 Return to School Advisory Council. Whitmer said at the time that the Advisory Council was created to identify the critical issues that must be addressed, provide valuable input to inform the process of returning to school and to ensure a smooth and safe transition back to school.

The council will act in an advisory capacity to the governor and the COVID-19 Task Force on Education, and will develop and submit recommendations to the COVID-19 Task Force on Education regarding the safe, equitable and efficient K-12 return to school in the Fall.

In June, the governor announced a group of 25 leaders in health care and education to serve on the COVID-19 return to learn advisory council. The council is chaired by Tonya Allen, and includes community members, educators, parents, and students who will work closely with the governor as she continues to put the health and safety of our students and educators first.