Franklin students and staff will not return to school in three weeks as initially planned.
Officials at Franklin Community Schools said Friday the start date will be pushed back about two weeks to Aug. 17, due to changes to the state’s reopening plan, and to allow school leaders more time to prepare for an increase in families opting to do eLearning. Families of students were notified of the changes Friday.
Franklin students and staff were set to return to school buildings Aug. 5, for the first since mid-March, when schools were forced to close their doors due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
School leaders decided to move the school year back for three reasons, officials said Friday.
The approved district re-entry plan was built around the state progressing to Stage 5 of its Back on Track Indiana plan. Gov. Eric Holcomb on Wednesday said the state would remain in Stage 4.5 for at least two more weeks.
“In light of (Holcomb) extending phase 4.5 through July 31, FCS will need to modify some aspects of the plan,” Franklin schools said in a news release.
Franklin schools superintendent David Clendening is asking Dr. Craig Moorman, the county’s health officer, and the Johnson County Health Department to review and approve the new changes based on Holcomb’s actions, according to the news release.
Also, more families are enrolling in virtual school; 12% of Franklin students have selected the enhanced virtual program, according to the news release.
“Dr. Clendening stated he supports each family’s decision to enroll in FCS virtual school if it is right for their children. Due to the larger than expected enrollment, changes in class sizes and teacher placement needs to be addressed. The increased enrollment in virtual school will allow for smaller class sizes and ease social distancing pressure in school buildings across the district,” the news release said.
And school leaders need to update tangible metrics to ensure ongoing monitoring of community-wide and internal school corporation data points, according to the news release. The additional time will allow school administrators to examine and implement any additional safety precautions for students and staff, the news release said.
Though Franklin schools is moving back its start date, Indiana High School Athletic Association programs will continue as planned, according to the news release.
“This year is going to provide unique opportunities and FCS is ready to embark on a path that ensures 180 days of learning,” the news release said. “This delay will allow families a few more days of summer and FCS with a few more days to advance their re-entry plans.”
The school’s revised re-entry plan will be released Aug. 5.
