Fort Smith schools set reopening date: Aug. 24

FORT SMITH — The Fort Smith School District will reopen schools for the 2020-21 school year on Aug. 24, officials announced Thursday.

The district will provide more information in the coming days, according to a district news release issued Thursday.

“We appreciate your patience and ask for your support as we determine the safest way to reopen schools,” the release states. “We encourage families to visit our website, fortsmithschools.org, and stay tuned to our social media channels for the latest updates.”

This comes after Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Thursday that the start date for kindergarten-12th grade classes in Arkansas is being moved back to allow districts more time to prepare for on-campus learning during the coronavirus pandemic.

Schools must start the year between Aug. 24 and 26, as opposed to the Aug. 13 start for which most had planned.

Arkansas Education Secretary Johnny Key said this will give schools more time to develop plans and for teacher training, as well as to acquire personal protective equipment and technology.

“We anticipated that the beginning of the school year would be fluid and so we are ready to work on the modifications that will need to be made following this announcement,” the Fort Smith district stated. “We will continue to work with our stakeholders to provide for the best and most appropriate environment for children and their teachers in these circumstances.”