Some school districts on the Central and South Coasts had decided they would open the new school year with distance learning only due to the coronavirus crisis. Other districts were still up in the air.
Governor Gavin Newsom in effect made the decision for undecided districts in our region Friday.
He says the spike in coronavirus cases across the state prompted him to order that schools in all of the 30 plus counties on a state watch list for failing to meet reopening criteria must start the school year with remote instruction. Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties are on the list.
15 of Ventura County’s 19 school districts had announced Thursday night they would start the school year with distance learning. Santa Barbara County’s districts were still undecided.
Many districts had been considering plans which included a mix of remote and in person instruction. School districts not allowed to reopen campuses can do it after their county gets off the state watch list, and remains off for 14 consecutive days.
The other 20 plus counties not on the state’s watch list, which are in mostly rural areas, can reopen campuses if they feel they can do it safely.
