OKCPS Board Votes To Delay School Start Date, Begin With All Virtual Classes

Oklahoma City Public Schools officials voted to delay the upcoming school year. Students will return to the virtual classroom for nine weeks starting August 31.

The board recognizes this will be a paradigm shift for both teachers and their students.

The extra time will allow for needed adjustments and planning.

"We cannot in good conscience advocate for a traditional return to school. The safest way to educate, as identified by the CDC, is virtually, so we would propose starting the school year virtually for at least the first nine weeks," said OKCPS Deputy Superintendent Jason Brown.

The first nine weeks of class will be solely online, despite some anticipated challenges.

“Will they be teaching virtually? Have they gotten the proper training to teach virtually? I know some people in my age group it can be a frightening situation,” said board member Ruth Veals.   

It's a decision that OKCPS Superintendent Sean McDaniel and the board felt needed to be made.

“Decisions we make have everything to do with safety and welfare of employees, kids, families, visitors we have kept that in the forefront,” said Dr. Sean McDaniel.

Over three weeks teachers and administrators will undergo additional training and discuss how to navigate the virtual school year.

Because students will remain out of school longer than expected, curbside meals programs will resume August 10.

Come September 30 the district will decide how school will resume for the remainder of the year.