Delayed Start? Raimondo Could Push Back First Day Of School In RI

PROVIDENCE, RI — Gov. Gina Raimondo is expected to announce a delay in the start of school in Rhode Island during Wednesday's weekly news conference.

"Governor Raimondo’s top priority is ensuring that every school has the time it needs to fully implement critical safety measures for staff and students," said Audrey Lucas, Raimondo's press secretary. "As we approach the start of the school year, we have heard from school leaders that they would benefit from a couple more weeks to operationalize their plans for in-person learning. The Governor will discuss this at tomorrow’s 1 p.m. press conference."

According to WJAR, the governor said a delay is "pretty likely."

In June, Raimondo announced that the plan was to restart in-person classes Aug. 31.

"I am setting a goal that in Rhode Island will return to full, in-person school this fall," Raimondo said at the time. "There is no substitute for in-person learning. Our students will do better if they can have in-person learning."

All districts were asked to submit reopening plans to the Rhode Island Department of Education for three reopening scenarios: mostly in-person, a hybrid model and all distance learning. On Jul. 29, Raimondo said a final decision about which model would be used was expected Aug. 16.

"What's the bottom line? The bottom line is schools are opening Aug. 31," Raimondo said. "Exactly what they look like when we open we do not right now know."

Reopening RI schools | Read more

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