POSITION: We are asking that our HCPS leaders roll up their sleeves and do whatever it takes to open schools virtually on August 24th, and remain virtual until it is safe to open per guidance from medical experts.

CONTEXT: Richard Corcoran, the Florida Education Commissioner, has sent a letter to HCPS stating that their plan to open schools virtually goes against his emergency order, which states that schools must open their campuses no later than August unless they have a recommendation from their local Department of Health. Under pressure from the state to keep quiet, the director of our local Department of Health refused to make a recommendation, even though the other doctors present said it would not be safe to open schools. View it here.

MESSAGE TO HCPS BOARD & SUPERINTENDENT:

We the undersigned citizens of Hillsborough County fully expect that you will not open school campuses against medical advice, and we will hold you to that expectation as we closely monitor the upcoming emergency board meeting. HCPS must act swiftly to meet the requirements outlined in the Education Commissioner's letter, if that's what it takes to keep our community safe. Change the original plan and resubmit to the FL DOE- do not let our staff and students become part of a dangerous political experiment which will result in a revolving door of school closures and leave our most vulnerable open to illness and death.