School Board to host special meeting discussing reopening plans

The Orange County School Board has scheduled a special meeting to discuss reopening plans and recommendations.

The meeting will take place at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, in the Board Room at the Educational Leadership Center, 445 W. Amelia St., Orlando.

School Board members will consider recommendations from the Medical Advisory Committee, which met previously on Aug. 12 and 14. The committee includes pediatricians and infectious-disease specialists.

According to Orange County Public Schools, there also may be potential revisions to the 2020-21 Optional Reopening Innovative Plan.

Orange County students returned to school virtually via OCPSLaunchED@Home Monday, Aug. 10, and in-person classes are set to begin Aug. 21. OCPS expects about 30% of its 212,000 students to attend class on campus.

On Thursday, Aug. 13, Orange County officials announced the county’s first coronavirus case at a school. A 9-year-old boy at Circle Christian School – who only attended class on Monday, the school's first day of its new year – tested positive. Officials do not believe he contracted the virus on campus. They added that eight children in his class and a teacher are being quarantined.

For more information on how to watch the School Board meeting, click here.