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The 2020-2021 school year begins Tuesday, August 4 with one-half day of instruction. That’s the plan for all five special school districts in Carroll County.
Lynn Watkins, director of schools of McKenzie Special School District, said, after the 2019-2020 school year ended abruptly in March, the opening day of August 4 for the 2020-2021 year is still uncertain.
“The term unprecedented has been many times repeated in all that I read,” said Watkins. “We are living in a time that will be discussed for decades.”
Each year, students are required to have 180 days of instruction in Tennessee public schools. That requirement was waived for the 2019-2020 school year because of the COVID-19 virus that adversely affected schools and businesses nationwide.
“I want all of our students to have 180 days of required instruction in our buildings. Our students need to be with us. The quality of instruction and learning is better,” said Watkins. “Many students need checks of understanding every few minutes. All of us need the human interaction. I know that our community is better when our schools are operating in a traditional manner.”
McKenzie Special School District will have the capability to provide off-site distance learning. The school system is preparing to do just that in the event schools are not allowed to open as scheduled.