By Paul Waldmiller
Did you know that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced that Florida schools will open next month? In a major announcement, DeSantis is quoted as stating, “We spent months saying that there were certain things that were essential – that included fast food restaurants, Walmart and Home Depot. If fast food restaurants, Walmart, Home Depot – and look, I do all that, so I’m not looking down on it – but if all that is essential, then educating our kids is absolutely essential!”
Florida teachers have argued with Governor DeSantis over school openings this fall. Florida Education President Fedrick Ingram was interviewed recently on CNN where he stated, “Right now, it’s irresponsible to talk about ‘how’ if schools will reopen in the fall in Florida. Right now we need to be talking about how we get this virus under control, how we keep schools and our communities safe.”
Many Florida parents also are questioning the timing of Florida schools opening. While the numbers of Covid-19 cases rise and the numbers of deaths associated with the Covid-19 also rises, parents are going public with their concern for the safety of their children. Many parents of school-aged children in Florida also seem to be aware that President Trump has threatened to cut off federal funding for schools if they do not open. It has been reported by some news outlets that Trump cannot unilaterally cut off federal fundings for schools, but in reality, President Trump can indeed restrict some recent pandemic relief funding or refuse to sign future education grants and bailouts.
In a WUSF (Tampa) poll asking viewers if Florida schools should open or remain closed until the Covid-19 Pandemic is over, nearly 82% of those who responded stated that Florida schools should remain closed. Clearly, at least in the Tampa region, an overwhelming number of parents seem to be against the idea of reopening schools. What will parents do on the day schools actually reopen next month is anyone’s guess.