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Florida's education commissioner denies Hillsborough schools' plan to go online, Internet calls move disgusting

Education commissioner Richard Corcoran expressed 'grave concerns' over adapting online-only teaching system

The Hillsborough County School Board voted on August 6 for the online-only classes during the first four weeks of the school year starting August 24. The move was however rebuked by the Florida Department of Education, specifically stating “grave concerns” over children continuing virtual classes from home, according to reports. 

In a letter addressed to Superintendent Addison Davis and Chair Melissa Snively, education commissioner Richard Corcoran has stated three options concerning the re-opening of the schools which include following the plan previously approved by the FLDOE, submitting an amended plan that follows guidelines laid out by the state and withdrawing the original plan and proceeding "under the existing statutory framework". 

Corcoran’s letter reads: "The Hillsborough County School Board needs to follow the law, it’s that simple. The whole reason the department created the emergency order was to grant districts maximum flexibility to do what is right for parents and school children. We will not stand idly by while they trample over the majority of parents who want to do right by their children. What they did yesterday completely eliminated the flexible options for their families and students and ignored how harmful it can be for students who are experiencing violence, abuse, and food insecurity in their homes, many of whom are already struggling to close achievement gaps. These are urgent circumstances and we cannot, and will not, ignore it."

A similar opinion was presented by Governor Ron DeSantis’s office before Corcoran wrote the letter. Offering an option for the parents to choose between in-person teaching and eLearning, the statement cited, "The Governor is concerned with Hillsborough County’s decision as Florida law requires school districts to offer a certain amount of in-person instruction."

According to Superintendent Addison Davis's statement to Hillsborough County school district, they are reviewing and analyzing the options with the legal team. The statement reads, "The Board acted after serious deliberations and with all due diligence. Our district understood the possibility that such a response from the state might come and it has been clear that the district could face negative implications. We will use this information to have discussions about where we go from here."

The difference of opinion between the education commissioner and Florida school district with regard to the reopening of schools has sparked a debate online, as some Internet users believe that parents should be given the option to choose between in-person and online teaching for their children. Some slammed the commissioner for pushing the idea of children attending schools amid pandemic, especially following the impact of coronavirus on Florida. 

One Twitter user, expressing their disapproval of Corcoran's letter, wrote, "If he is so insistent I assume Richard Corcoran won’t mind accepting liability for any deaths or health issues resulting from him forcing in person schooling? I didn’t think so…..."

Meanwhile, one of them said that parents should be given the choice to choose what's best for their children, rather than the institution making a decision for them. The tweet read, "Apparently, very few of the commenters here actually READ the order, or even the article. The order by Corcoran gives PARENTS the choice to send their kids to school or to have them learn online. Hillsborough County took that choice away. Everyone is against PARENTS choosing? "

Meanwhile, another agitated user wrote, "Absolutely disgusting... its obvious this is political @GovRonDeSantis is speaking loud and clear.. he and his team are willing to sacrifice the life of many people for personal, political agenda. They are definitely not listening to the medical experts!"