WINNSBORO – The Fairfield County School District’s calendar and teaching plans have received approval from the S. C. Department of Education, clearing the way to move forward with school opening on Aug. 24.
The district will follow a ‘modified virtual” option that was adopted at the July meeting by the Fairfield County Board of Trustees.
The plan provides a predominately virtual learning environment, but also gives students the option to attend classes in person.
“Given the extent of spread in the area, I think this is the best way to begin,” Superintendent Dr. J.R. Green said.
Green said the district’s recommendation doesn’t meet one of Gov. Henry McMaster’s options – for all students to attend school all five days – because not every Fairfield student has the option to attend daily. Green noted that the governor’s option was not a requirement. Under the governor’s options, all parents have the right to request a virtual learning environment for their children, Green said.
While some confusion was spun on the governor’s options, Green said it is absolutely false that the governor and president required all students to be sent to in-person classrooms..
“We want all students back in the building as much as the governor or the president does,” Green said.
During the July board meeting, Fairfield school district officials were optimistic the modified virtual plan would be approved.
The district’s alternative plan called for a traditional setup in which students would have attended attend five days a week, but with strict social distancing and other CDC guidelines in place.