BRADENTON, Fla. — The Manatee County School Board voted on plans to reopen the schools in August.
The school board voted to push back the start date to Monday, August 17.
Teachers gathered outside the meeting with their cars decorated. They held signs stating how they felt about the reopening of schools.
Sandra Hoffmann has taught in Manatee County for 15 years. She teaches special education and worries for her students.
She said some of the students have compromised immune systems.
Hoffman wants to return to school but said it is not a good idea with the increasing number of COVID-19 cases.
"Let the numbers start coming down. Let everybody be safe. It's not fair to the kids, not fair to the teachers, everybody in the whole district," said Hoffmann.
Regardless of grade level, the Manatee County School District will provide three options for students in the fall.
The first option means children may return to campus for traditional learning. Option two includes a hybrid schedule integrating on-campus learning with e-learning. Option three includes students choosing to receive full-time e-Learning Manatee instruction.
Parents should contact their child's school with the option they prefer. The deadline is Wednesday, July 22.
LIST: Deadlines for when Tampa Bay families must decide whether to send their kids to school
The Sarasota County School Board voted on several items about the reopening of schools on Tuesday evening. The board voted on a later start date. Students will return on August 31. Teachers will return on August 17.
Face coverings will be required when on campus or buses.
These plans will be submitted to the Florida Department of Education for approval.
