As of June 9, 2020, the Rankin County School District announced their plans for the Fall 2020 school year. Rankin County officials stated that school would start as it does every year, but that students might later have to transition to a hybrid learning environment or to a fully distance learning environment. 

On July 9, 2020, the Rankin County School District announced that the first day of school will be August 10th (instead of the 7th), and that October 13, 2020, and February 16, 2021, which were previously student holidays, would now be regular school days. 

As of today, July 13, 2020, there has been no mention of RCSD starting the school year through hybrid or (preferred) distance learning, despite the fact that cases of COVID-19 in Mississippi are on a constant incline. In addition to this, Rankin County is 5th leading in the state for positive Coronavirus cases. 

By reopening schools traditionally, not only are students and teachers at serious risk, but those who come into contact with students or faculty will also be at risk.

This is especially dangerous for those who are immunocompromised.  Individuals with common conditions such as diabetes, sickle cell disease, chronic kidney disease, cardiomyopathies, and other heart conditions, as well as the elderly and infants/young children, are significantly more vulnerable to Coronavirus.  Further are concerns of asymptomatic carriers transmitting the virus.

Allowing schools to reopen fully and depending on masks and social distancing as a control mechanism endangers the well being of our community as a whole, but especially those of the faculty, staff, and students.