HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Hillsborough County Schools will not be requiring students to wear masks or coverings when the school year starts in August. However, teachers will be provided with masks from the district to wear throughout the day.
The district will be encouraging/ suggesting students to wear masks as well, but it is not a requirement. The district said it would cost $9 million to provide masks to students.
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As of now, it is not likely for students to practice social distancing on buses. The district said it would cost $310 million per year.
However, masks on buses will be available to anyone who wants them, including drivers and students. As of now, the district said employees will be screened with temperature checks. It is subject to change.
If the schools needed to close, the district said students and teachers needed to create a plan, but nothing would be definitive.
Hillsborough County Schools recently hired a new virtual learning director, GrayRobinson, and they've seen a 300% increase in interest.
Hand sanitizer and Lysol will also be provided in classrooms when the school year begins.
A school board meeting is scheduled to take place Tuesday, June 23 at 9 a.m. with a formal presentation
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As Florida has began its reopening phase, the state reported another rise in coronavirus cases. Thursday morning, the Florida Department of Health reported 3,207 new cases and 43 new deaths.
Florida was one of 10 states that saw a record number of new COVID-19 cases this week.
A projection model from scientists at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania warns Florida has "all of the markings of the next large epicenter of coronavirus transmission" and risks being the "worst it has ever been."
DeSantis said he doesn't intend to reclose the economy amid the rise in cases.
