CA Schools Will Reopen At Different Times, Superintendent Says

CALIFORNIA — Public school districts across California will decide for themselves when they will reopen school buildings and campuses for the next academic year, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said Wednesday.

"There will not be a common opening," Thurmond said at a news conference, ABC7 reported.

Most school districts plan to reopen for normal start dates in late August and September. Some have received permission to open early, but still plan to end the year when they normally would, Thurmond said, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The reopened schools will likely look much different than before the coronavirus crisis. Face masks may be required, schools will be cleaned more rigorously, distance learning may still be present in some form and classes will be smaller to maintain social distancing, Thurmond said.

These changes will require significant new funding, Thurmond said, repeating a call by Gov. Gavin Newsom for more federal education funding in light of a projected $19 billion cut for schools in Newsom's latest budget proposal.

"We believe that our school districts cannot reopen safely if they have to implement these kinds of cuts," Thurmond said, according to ABC.

Thurmond's remarks Wednesday offered some clarity to prior statements given by Newsom, who said last month that schools could reopen as early as July. Such a decision, Thurmond said, would need to be made on a district-by-district basis.

On Thursday morning, Thurmond will host a "check-in" with hundreds of school districts across the state, where they will discuss reopening guidance. The conversation will be livestreamed on Facebook at 9:30 a.m.

Full coronavirus coverage: Coronavirus In California: What To Know