Public schools in New Haven, Connecticut plan to resume only online through at least November, even though the state Department of Education found 70% of New Haven students did not keep up with virtual class last spring.
Dr. Tamiko Jackson McArthur, who serves on the New Haven School Board, is also a pediatrician. She said most of her doctor colleagues agree the coronavirus infection rate in Connecticut is low enough to resume school. She still voted no.
“I did not vote that I don’t want to be in the school," Jackson McArthur said. "My vote was around readiness and I don’t feel that we’re ready. I have a lot of questions that I’ve asked that have not been clearly answered.”
Jackson McArthur said nobody can tell her what a safe classroom would look like. She said even under normal circumstances, some schools lacked paper towels or soap.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont pushed for schools to reopen, but also announced a partnership to provide internet and computer access to students. He expected it to be running this fall.