El Paso’s Health Authority drafting order to delay return to school classrooms by a month
EL PASO, Texas -- An order being prepared by El Paso City-County Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza would prohibit any in-person classes by local school districts until after Labor Day in September.
That's according to both County Judge Ricardo Samaniego and Mayor Dee Margo, who told ABC-7 on Tuesday that Ocaranza's order was in the process of being drafted with their support.
Margo, in an interview with ABC-7, said the return to school needed to be delayed by a month because of the coronavirus surge.
He indicated that local leaders had heard from many parents and educators who didn't feel comfortable going back to the classroom in August.
Margo said El Paso-area school superintendents met Tuesday with city-county public health officials to discuss the situation.
Most El Paso County schools are currently slated to start the new school year on Aug. 3.
The order being prepared by Dr. Ocaranza would delay the potential return of students to classrooms by at least a month, but online classes - or remote learning as some districts call it - could still occur in August.
The Socorro Independent School District tweeted Tuesday that it was prepared to adjust plans accordingly based on the new health directive. Other school districts didn't immediately comment.
We are aware of the draft directives/guidelines proposed by health authorities regarding the start of the new school year and are prepared to adapt/adjust plans as necessary. We will share updates on our #TeamSISD 2020-21 Back to School Safely plans as information is confirmed.
— Socorro ISD (@SocorroISD) July 7, 2020
