Del. Department of Education planning ahead

DELAWARE – Governor John Carney and the Delaware Department of Education have selected a number of people to help think about how to safely reopen schools. “When we do get the message from the governor’s office that schools can reopen, whether that be in late August, or whether that be in the middle of September or whenever, we will be ready to safely and equitably, efficiently, and effectively bring students back in to the buildings,” said Delaware secretary of education Susan Bunting.

The three groups will meet virtually and discuss issues relating to health and wellness, academics and equity, and operations and services. Bunting tells 47ABC that the members of the groups represent all 19 school district in Delaware. “We tried to get at least one representative from every school district. In Delaware there at 19. We wanted representation from charter schools, but we also wanted to bring in our stakeholders, parents, students, legislators, professionals from the health field,” said Bunting.

Bunting says it was important to make sure all school community members were considered. “We have a very diverse group that will be looking at a variety of issues – hopefully having very rich discussion – and they have to come forth with recommendations that will come to my office by the early part of July,” said Bunting.

Bunting says that the groups will have an orientation meeting Thursday. She also tells 47ABC that the group meetings will be open to the public’s – and encourage public feedback. Teachers in the groups will also be talking about adjusting curriculum to make up for lost ground.