In Seminole, schools work on plans to reopen

As it looks to reopen campuses in August, the Seminole County school district may require students to wear face masks on buses, in hallways and in some small-group settings — and older students might have to wear them most of the school day.

Administrators likely also will move to spread out desks in classrooms, limit class changes, disinfect more frequently and revamp cafeteria procedures in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The Seminole County School Board and district leaders spent more than three hours Thursday reviewing proposals for how to open campuses for the 2020-21 school year against the backdrop of rising numbers of coronavirus cases in Florida and in the county.

The board likely will vote on a reopening plan July 14.

“The challenge is that our schools are designed for social interaction, not social distancing,” Superintendent Walt Griffin said as the meeting began.