At a time of public health concern and rapidly changing local conditions, state superintendent Chris Reykdal is attempting to direct how local school officials respond to the coronavirus.

While local official consider the concerns of parents, Reykdal is actively discouraging districts from providing worried students access to online learning at home.

He says:

“…we urge you [school official] to use an equity lens when making these [coronavirus] plans. School districts must ensure equal access to education for all students. It will likely make more sense to cancel school…” than provide for at-home learning.

Canceling school may make sense in some areas and not in others.

Local school officials, not someone sitting in Olympia, are in the best position to decide what they are able and prepared to do.  

For example, Superintendent Michele Reid of the Northshore School District announced the district’s 34 schools, serving 22,900 students, will close for two weeks. She has decided the district has the resources and the concern for families to allow students to continue their education online at home.

The Northshore School District receives $16,700 per student, so having the resources for online learning is not a question of money.

Superintendent Reid has planned ahead. She has trained her teachers in providing online lessons. She has made sure every student has a laptop and access to the internet. This kind of smart preparation has nothing to do with equity politics and everything to do with helping students when they need it.

Despite the coronavirus, Superintendent Reid has kept the focus on teaching and learning. She is not making excuses, and has a plan to serve every student.  

With a health scare like the coronavirus, it is important for state officials to allow local school districts all the flexibility they need to meet the problems, whether involving student health or otherwise, that they face today.