Originally set to start on July 30, Clark-Pleasant schools is delaying the start of the school year by one week, following suit with a decision Franklin schools and other schools around the state made recently.
Schools are now set to welcome students Aug. 6.
The decision comes just days after Franklin schools delayed its opening by two weeks, from Aug. 5 to Aug. 17 Friday, citing the state’s decision to pause relaxing Indiana’s capacity restrictions, which currently cap indoor gatherings at 250 people. Edinburgh and Greenwood schools are still set to start school July 30, and as of Monday, Center Grove and Indian Creek schools are sticking to their Aug. 5 start dates.
Clark-Pleasant’s delay will give staff members additional time to prepare for students returning to classrooms, superintendent Patrick Spray said in a statement Monday.
Students will also have the option to learn virtually this semester, but families will have to make that decision by Wednesday by contacting their child’s building principal.
“We have determined it to be in the best interest of our students and staff to push back the first day of school for students one week,” Spray said in the statement. “The one-week delay will allow our staff additional time to better plan for the virtual option and prepare for the upcoming school year that will be a very complex and unique experience.”
Spray also said the district plans to require masks in areas of school buildings where social distancing is not possible, such as in hallways and on school buses. It is unclear if the district has the legal authority to mandate masks, and county and state officials have not issued a mask mandate. There are no plans to discipline students who are seen not wearing masks. Instead, staff members want to educate students about the importance of wearing masks to protect the health of others, spokesperson John Venter said.
“The last thing we want to do is issue punishment for something we’re doing to keep people safe. We would like to educate people. We would like people to be compliant and consider heath needs,” Venter said.
The school board will consider an update to its school calendar during its next board meeting July 28. Back-to-school nights and registration days are not affected by the delay, Spray said.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued patience and support as we navigate through this upcoming school year,” Spray said in the statement. “We are all in this together and your understanding of the complexities that we are all facing together will help us get through this school year. We look forward to seeing our students on Aug. 6.”
Two school boards are set to meet this week, including Center Grove and Franklin.
A Center Grove schools regular board meeting is scheduled for Thursday. Center Grove schools will also have what it describes as an emergency executive session, during which it will discuss "the assessment, design and implementation of school safety and security measures, plans and systems," according to school documents.
Franklin’s board will meeting Wednesday to discuss reopening scenarios, spokesperson Robin Betts said.
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Here is an updated look at when students in each of Johnson County’s public school districts are scheduled to return:
Edinburgh: July 30
Greenwood: July 30
Center Grove: Aug. 5
Indian Creek: Aug. 5
Clark-Pleasant: Aug. 6
Franklin: Aug. 17
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