Perdue bill aimed at helping schools reopen safely
Capitol Beat News Service
While some school districts across Georgia have announced plans to start school next month with online instruction only, U.S. Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., is introducing legislation aimed at helping schools reopen safely
The Safely Creating Healthy Opening Options Locally (SCHOOL) Act would help schools prepare reopening plans amid the coronavirus pandemic based on input from health care professionals.
“With the school year quickly approaching, parents, teachers, and students are understandably anxious about eventually going back to the classroom in this current environment,” Perdue said Monday.
“I want to make sure schools can make the best decisions about reopening locally. I want to provide teachers with the tools they need to stay safe and keep our kids learning. I also want to make sure parents have some peace of mind knowing that their students will still have a positive learning experience, while protecting their families from COVID-19.”
Perdue’s bill would provide funding schools could use to buy personal protective equipment (PPE) and clean and disinfect school buildings. It also would make nurses and other health-care workers available to help with symptom checks and help school develop procedures for notifying parents of potential COVID-19 cases.
Perdue is a close ally of President Donald Trump, who has made it clear he wants schools to reopen their doors this fall.
However, Gwinnett County Public Schools, Georgia’s largest school district announced Monday it would open schools next month with 100% digital instruction. Atlanta Public Schools made the same decision more than a week ago.
Other school systems will be conducting a hybrid of in-person classes and online instruction.