Governor, NC Legislature Reach School Reopening Compromise

NORTH CAROLINA — After weeks of political wrangling, Gov. Roy Cooper and the Republican-led North Carolina legislature reached an accord outlining the reopening of schools in the state.

Cooper, along with lawmakers, presented the legislative compromise during a press conference in Raleigh Wednesday. Under the plan, all school districts will be required to offer in-person instruction, the Charlotte Observer reported.

"We have reached what I think is a fair compromise that returns many students to full-time in-person instruction,” said NC Senate Leader Phil Berger, according to the newspaper.

"Getting students safely back into classrooms must be our shared priority," Cooper said Wednesday, saying that the agreement "will return schools to in person learning while retaining our ability to protect students and educators in an emergency."

The school reopening plan requires elementary schools to reopen with full time in-person instruction, the Observer said. Middle and high schools may offer full time or hybrid in-person learning for middle and high school students.

The plan does not impact charter schools in the state, or families who want to continue with remote learning, the newspaper said.

Not everyone is happy with the legislative order to return students to classrooms.

"This agreement between the governor and leaders in the state legislature will needlessly encourage school boards to push students, educators, and staff into school buildings that do not comply with CDC guidance during a pandemic, which has already claimed the lives of 11,000 North Carolinians," said North Carolina Association of Educators President Tamika Walker Kelly in a statement, the newspaper reported.

Cooper, who has in the past advocated that control over reopening decisions remain local, said he could issue restrictions if needed due to levels of community spread of COVID-19.

Senate Bill 220 passed Wednesday afternoon and heads to the House Thursday. Cooper has indicated he intends to sign it by the end of this week.

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