MANATEE COUNTY – The Manatee County School Board voted 3-2 to start the school year on Monday, Aug. 17.
The previously discussed reopening plan called for schools to open on Monday, Aug. 10 and that date was changed when the plan was formally approved by the board during a special school board meeting Tuesday evening.
School Board members James Golden, Dr. Scott Hopes and Gina Messenger voted in favor of the amended reopening plan that includes the Aug. 17 opening date. Board members Charlie Kennedy and Dave Miner said they support the plan, but cannot support the Aug. 17 date to reopen schools for in-person learning.
As previously planned, teachers will return to work on Aug. 3 and will now have an extra week to plan, prepare and collaborate in preparation for the students’ return.
For planning purposes, parents have until July 22 to inform their school of their children’s learning option. Parents and children of all grades have three learning options:
Option 1: Attending school in person in a school building five days a week.
Option 2: Full-time online eLearning at home.
Option 3: A hybrid program that includes two days of week of in-school learning and three days a week of at-home eLearning.
The amended and approved reopening plan now allows elementary students to use the hybrid option. The previous reopening plan did not provide the hybrid option to elementary students.
School Superintendent Cynthia Saunders said each teacher will teach one style of learning option. Teachers will not be asked to teach three different styles of learning options.
The plan requires all students, teachers and staff to wear face masks when inside a school building or school bus.
Mask waivers will be granted to those who have a written order from a physician, but those with mask waivers will then be required to wear a plastic face shield instead.
The school board will meet again on July 28 and if needed the reopening date can be re-evaluated based on the COVID-19 conditions in Manatee County at that time.
The board approved plan must be submitted to the Florida Department of Education for approval by July 31.
The reopening plan does not currently call for the school year to be extended, nor does it impact the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks for students, staff and teachers.
Saunders said a COVID-19 outbreak among students and/or teachers could lead to school closures and a temporary return to eLearning for impacted students.
For more information, visit the School District of Manatee County website.
MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County students, teachers and staff members will be required to wear face coverings in school buildings and on school buses if schools reopen on Aug. 10 or soon thereafter.
If the Manatee County School Board decides to delay the start of in-person learning due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, students will start the school year using online eLearning.
The Manatee County School Board made the face-covering decision during the board’s June 25 meeting and reiterated that decision during its Thursday, July 9 workshop.
The face-covering requirement is included in the school reopening plan scheduled to be presented to the board for final approval on Tuesday, July 14. If approved by the school board as expected, the reopening plan will be submitted to the Florida Department of Education (DOE) for its approval.
The reopening plan requirements will apply to all schools in Manatee County, including charter schools and private schools. This includes Anna Maria Elementary School in Holmes Beach.
The Manatee County School Board will decide if and when Anna Maria Elementary School and all others in the school district reopen for in-person learning. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Face coverings were one of many topics school board members and School Superintendent Cynthia Saunders discussed last week. Learning options, extra-curricular activities and reopening concerns were also among the topics discussed.
Face coverings
When discussing mandatory face coverings, Saunders said, “I’ve had just as many differing opinions on this subject as I have on should we open schools or not open schools. Our recommendation is that students, employees or anyone that cannot socially distance is expected to have a face covering.”
Saunders said many schools in the district have already purchased plastic face shields for students and teachers and plastic shields for the desks as well.
“It is very important in the learning years, the formative years, that they (the students) can clearly hear and see the pronunciation of words, the movement of mouth. Some people find it more comfortable to have a shield on than a face mask, so it is my recommendation that if they cannot socially distance, they are expected to have those on,” Saunders said.
Manatee County School Superintendent Cynthia Saunders will oversee the county’s school reopening plan. – School District of Manatee County | Submitted
Saunders said the face-covering requirement will also apply to all secondary, post-secondary and transportation-related facilities, including school buses. She said face coverings will not be required when the children and staff members are outside and safely socially distancing.
“I have had a number of parents contact me and say that their child may have a medical issue or medical concern. We will definitely look into any child or any employee that could have a medical issue and address these on an individual basis,” she added, noting that a form will be used to document allowed face-covering exceptions.
Board member Rev. James Golden said, “You will wear a mask from the time you come into the jurisdiction of the Manatee County School Board until the time you leave, unless the teacher in that classroom exempts you for a medical reason or an IEP (Individualized Education Program).”
Saunders said students and staff will not be subjected to regular or random COVID-19 testing, but temperature checks will be conducted on all employees upon arrival and conducted randomly on students.
Golden asked Saunders to make photographs available to parents that show how classrooms are being set up to accommodate social distancing and other safety measures.
Learning options
Regardless of grade level, parents will decide whether their child or children attend school in person five days a week or continue full-time eLearningManatee at home. Hybrid programs that combine in-school and eLearning will be available for older students.
The updated school reopening plan provides for in-school and/or at-home learning. – Submitted | School District of Manatee County
Saunders recommends all students pre-K through sixth grade return to in-person schooling five days a week. She recommends a hybrid program for seventh- and eighth-graders, and for all high school students and Manatee Technical College students.
Before the school year starts, the school district will confirm which learning method each student will utilize, and that data will be reported to DOE.
In response to a question from board chair Gina Messenger, Saunders said there will be designated opportunities when a student can switch from in-person learning to eLearning or vice-versa.
Saunders also said, “Our eLearning will not be just assignments being pushed on there. There will be actual teacher instruction. If a teacher is teaching 10 students in front of them and has 10 that are at home for eLearning they will be able to see the teacher teaching that lesson streaming live at the same time. They will be able to ask questions, get their questions answered and be a part of the class even though half of them may be sitting in their living room. We have the technology for that to happen.
“If a teacher doesn’t want to do it that way, we’ve given them a day in the week where they can record all of their lessons. If you’re on eLearning, there will be a live or taped teacher instruction. They will see the lesson taught by the teacher. It’s just as if they’re in the classroom. The teaching is going be occurring,” Saunders said.
In response to a question from board member Dr. Scott Hopes regarding eLearning, Saunders said the school district has already purchased many electronic devices to distribute to lower-income families in need, but there are still concerns about internet access at the student’s home.
“I do think we are going to have some problems with internet service, but we will have to come up with a plan for this,” Saunders said.
Extra-curricular activities
When the school year begins, extra-curricular activities including sports, band and cheerleading will be limited to outdoor, socially-distanced training activities only. Saunders said there are currently no plans for students to engage in competitive sporting events with other schools.
COVID concerns
During last week’s meeting, Saunders acknowledged the lingering concerns about the coronavirus.
“We can’t really say that it does not affect children. It is a new virus. Until we have schools open, I don’t really know that we have all the facts yet,” she said.
Saunders’ presentation included a slide that referenced COVID-19 test results for children in Manatee County and Florida.
The slide in the updated Manatee County school reopening plan references COVID-19 testing among youngsters. – Submitted | School District of Manatee County
“If you look at June 12th through now, and you compare our data and the number of cases compared to the state, in each one of these calculations we have exceeded the percent of infected cases per tested children than the state has. We’re at a 35.7% positive rate compared to 24.2% of those tested being positive for the state versus Manatee County. So our percentage is pretty substantial,” Saunders said.
Saunders’ reopening plan presentation can be viewed here.
More information on Manatee County school reopenings can be found here.
MANATEE COUNTY – The Manatee County School Board will continue discussing its school reopening plan today.
The discussion will take place during the school board workshop that begins at 1 p.m. The school reopening plan discussion is the fourth and final item listed on Thursday’s meeting agenda:
According to the school board website, “Executive Summary Superintendent Cynthia Saunders presented plans for the reopening of schools for the 2020-2021 school year during a workshop held on June 25. The board will hold discussion regarding the finalization of the plan in preparation for approval of the plan at the July 14 special meeting.”
The Manatee County School Board will meet at 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 9. – School District of Manatee County | Submitted
The school district’s reopening plan can be viewed here.
School board meetings are broadcast live on both MSTV and METV for your convenience. MSTV is Brighthouse channel 646 and Verizon channel 39; METV is Brighthouse channel 645, Verizon channel 31 and Comcast channel 19.
Thursday’s meeting will be archived within 24-48 hours here.
If you wish to contact the board members, you can do so via email, via phone at 941-708-8770 ext. 2155 or via fax at 941-708-8653.
On Tuesday, Florida Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran issued 2020-Emergency Order-06 regarding the mandatory reopening of Florida schools:
TALLAHASSEE – Vacation rentals must remain shuttered while restaurants and retail stores can partially open under phase one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ new plan to reopen Florida’s economy.
Set forth in Executive Order 20-112, the first phase of the governor’s “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery” takes effect Monday, May 4 and does not have an expiration date.
DeSantis’ executive order does not yet apply to Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, but he said those three counties at the epicenter of Florida’s coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic are making good progress on flattening their curves.
Before presenting the plan details during his Wednesday evening press conference, DeSantis said, “It’s been a tough two months for our country. The coronavirus is a formidable enemy, especially for our elderly and our medically vulnerable populations. We have lost Floridians, which is never an easy thing.”
The Rod & Reel Pier is one of many Anna Maria Island restaurants that closed during the coronavirus pandemic. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“The unprecedented national shutdown has thrown the lives of millions of Americans into economic and social turmoil. Floridians have lost jobs through no fault of their own and many are fearful of what may come next. Others have seen small businesses that represent their life’s work devastated practically overnight. This current crisis has impacted in one way or another 21 and a half million Floridians in life-changing ways. Today, Florida will take a step towards a more hopeful future,” DeSantis said.
Governor Ron DeSantis says he will reopen Florida in a manner that is “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step.” – Florida Channel | Submitted
DeSantis said he received input and advice from physicians, health care system executives, small business owners, elected officials, unemployed Floridians and law enforcement officials. He also convened the Re-Open Florida Task Force that produced a report and recommendations.
DeSantis said Florida’s reopening plan resembles the three-phase recovery plan guidelines recently released by the federal government. He said the plan will be reviewed daily and decisions pertaining to the implementation of future phases will also be based on data and input from medical professionals and others.
According to DeSantis’ reopening plan:
“Vulnerable individuals should avoid close contact with people outside the home;
“All individuals, when in public, should maximize physical distance from others;
“Avoid socializing in groups of more than 10 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for physical distancing;
Face masks are recommended for all those in face-to-face interactions and where you can’t social distance.”
Restaurants, retail and more
Under the reopening plan beginning on Monday:
Florida restaurants can resume indoor dining at 25% of their normal seating capacity. Outdoor dining can also resume with tables spaced at least 6 feet apart. While dining inside or out, no more than 10 people are allowed in a group.
Bars, pubs and nightclubs that derive more than 50% of their gross revenue from alcohol sales will remain closed.
Retail stores can operate at no more than 25% of their capacity and must abide by CDC and OSHA safety guidelines.
Gyms and fitness centers will remain closed. DeSantis said hair salons, nail salons and other personal service providers cannot yet provide those services but can sell their retail products.
Libraries and museums can reopen at 25% capacity.
Elective surgeries and medical procedures can resume.
Florida schools will continue to operate with distance learning.
Visitors remain prohibited at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
During press inquiries, DeSantis was asked about businesses that are allowed to be open and businesses that are not.
“There’s no gray area. The order continues the essential business framework, so anyone under that framework is good to go. And then it allows responsible activity to include these new things like the retail. If you were good before, you’re good now,” DeSantis said.
Vacation rentals
During Wednesday’s press conference, DeSantis was silent on vacation rentals and whether he planned to extend Executive Order 20-87, an order that prohibited vacation rental operations through Thursday, April 30.
But the reopening plan executive order released later that evening says, “The prohibition on vacation rentals in Executive Order 20-87 remains in effect for the duration of the new order.”
The first phase of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ reopening plan continues his suspension of vacation rental operations. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
On Wednesday, DeSantis also issued Executive Order 20-111, an order that fills a gap by extending until Monday his vacation rental order (EO 20-87) and his essential businesses/stay-at-home order (EO 20-91).
The Anna Maria City Commission will conduct an emergency meeting at 10 a.m. on Friday to discuss parking restrictions and whether to continue the mayor’s local emergency order that prohibits new vacation rental reservations for guest arrivals through June 30.
The city of Holmes Beach also has local emergency vacation rental restrictions in place.
Local reaction
Soon after DeSantis’ conference ended, local restaurant operators and employees were already making their response plans.
Bartender Staci Wilkinson said Tide Tables in Cortez would be ready to go on Monday.
“We’ve moved all our picnic tables six feet apart. The majority of our seating is outside, so this is great news for us. We still expect a lot of takeout orders too, because not everyone will feel comfortable going out to eat right away. We’re prepared for anything and everything,” she said.
In Bradenton Beach, Bridge Tender Inn owner Fred Bartizal said, “It’ll be nice that people can actually sit in the restaurant with an open container, so it will definitely help. I certainly don’t want to be too quick to open it up completely.”
Drift In manager Doreen Flynn acknowledged social distancing would be a challenge inside the Bradenton Beach bar.
“It’s good that all those employees are getting their jobs back. I just wish we were included. I look forward to seeing Bridge Street open again. I watch the camera at the bar and it’s a ghost town,” Flynn said.
The Drift In in Bradenton Beach has been closed since St. Patrick’s Day. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Drift In bartender Sharon Bell worked her last bar shift on St. Patrick’s Day – the day Florida’s bars closed in accordance with DeSantis’ executive order.
“I don’t understand how having a kitchen makes anyone safer? I feel like if we’re safe, we’re safe; and if it’s still dangerous, it’s still dangerous. I don’t understand how this is an apples-to-oranges situation,” Bell said.
Sports Lounge bartender Courtney McGough somewhat sarcastically said, “I’m glad they (restaurants) can serve alcohol while I wait for another month. I really hope this isn’t too early.”
Swordfish Grill General Manager Bob Slicker said he’s not ready to resume sit down dining yet in the Cortez restaurant.
“For us to open, we must have everything in place. If one of my employees gets sick and I have to shut down for two weeks what good is that? I don’t feel comfortable with it,” Slicker said.
COVID-19 in Manatee County
As of Wednesday evening, Florida had 33,193 reported COVID-19 cases, 5,419 hospitalizations and 1,218 COVID-19-connected deaths, according to the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard.
As of Wednesday, there were still no reported COVID-19 cases in the city of Anna Maria. Since the pandemic began in the United States there has been one reported case in Holmes Beach and one reported case in Bradenton Beach.
The Holmes Beach case was reported on April 2. The Bradenton Beach case involved 68-year-old Bradenton Beach resident Tom Sheehan, who died at a Sarasota hospital in late March while being treated for COVID-19 upon his return from a cruise ship vacation.
The FDOH Dashboard is updated at least twice a day. – FDOH | Submitted
As of Wednesday, Manatee County had 564 reported COVID-19 cases, 142 hospitalizations and 49 COVID-19-connected deaths. Of those reported cases, 394 were in Bradenton and 162 were in the 34208 zip code that contains portions of Bradenton, Ellenton and Samoset, making it the zip code with the most reported cases in the Tampa Bay region.
Also as of Wednesday, there were 24 reported COVID-19 deaths associated with nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other long-term care facility residents or staff members in Manatee County. There were 21 such deaths in Sarasota County. Manatee County ranks fourth-highest in the state in that category and Sarasota County ranks fifth-highest.
Ten long-term care facilities in Manatee County listed a total of 97 COVID-19-positive cases among residents and transferred residents and 81 reported cases among staff members.
Regularly updated county-by-county and zip code specific COVID-19 data can be found at the FDOH COVID-19 Dashboard.
