By SAM METZ AP/Report for America
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Less than a week after Nevada reopened doors to its casinos, Gov. Steve Sisolak announced students could return for summer school coursework.
Sisolak signed a directive Tuesday to allow school districts, charter schools and private schools operating in Nevada to reopen immediately.
“This directive will allow schools to return to a sense of normalcy while keeping the health and safety of students and staff at the forefront,” Sisolak said in a statement.
The directive gives schools broad decision-making power over whether to hold in-person classes, remote learning or a combination as they conduct summer school courses.
It arrives almost two months after Sisolak ordered Nevada schools closed March 15 to curb the spread of coronavirus and less than two weeks after Nevada begun transitioning to Phase 2 of his “Roadmap to Recovery” plan.
The directive also requires schools to develop reopening plans in accordance with a Department of Education-devised framework at least 20 days before the start of the 2020-2021 school year. The framework outlines key considerations for schools to consider, including hygiene, social distancing, face coverings and communicating with students and parents.
Nevada Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert said the directive offered school districts “flexibility” to determine reopening protocols based on local circumstances.
“Districts and schools will continue to work with local public health officials to make determinations regarding re-opening and work with their staff, parents, students and community in adopting these plans,” he said in a statement.
Nevada’s Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday reported the state’s largest single-day jump in new coronavirus cases since May 22. The additional 244 cases, including 207 in Clark County, bring the statewide total to 10,030.
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Sam Metz is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
