State Superintendent Says Schools Can't Reopen Safely Without More Federal Dollars

California schools will not be able to reopen safely next school year unless they receive additional federal dollars, said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond on Wednesday.

Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposed May budget revision would reduce funding to school districts by about $7 billion.

"We believe our school districts can't reopen safely if they have to implement these kinds of cuts," Thurmond said.

Students, teachers and staff will need masks and hand sanitizer, Thurmond said. Schools will need to be sanitized every day — sometimes multiple times a day — and class sizes will need to be reduced to maintain 6 feet distance between everyone in the class.

Despite a suggestion from Newsom that schools start early to make up for current school closures, Thurmond said most districts plan to open on their usual dates in late August or early September.

The cost of reopening with social distancing, alternate school schedules and other safety guidelines will be costly for districts already struggling with budget cuts, said Kindra Britt, deputy superintendent of communications for the state's Department of Education.

The department is relying on federal funds from the HEROES (Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions) Act and the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act, the first stimulus bill Congress approved in March, to make up budget gaps, Britt said.

"We will have to really have some tough conversations if we don't get federal funding," she said.

Read the full story from EdSource’s Diana Lambert.