County rejects Fla. governor’s school order

Students in Palm Beach County public schools will continue learning from home when classes resume next month despite a state mandate to open schools.

Under increasing pressure from teachers and local health experts, the seven board members unanimously agreed to keep classes online- only for the district’s 174,000 students until the coronavirus pandemic improves.

Florida has seen a surge in cases in recent weeks. Gov. Ron DeSantis has repeatedly called for schools to provide in- classroom learning. This week, state Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran followed through on his bosses’ commands, ordering public schools to offer in- person classes five days a week.

“We’re not ready from a health standpoint,” board member Marcia Andrews said. “And we’re not ready from a planning standpoint.”