Lawmakers have reached an agreement to return most California students to classrooms in late March.
The deal combines proposals from Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California legislature and will provide up to $ 6.6 billion to return schools to face-to-face learning.
Of these, $ 2 billion will be made available to schools returning students on March 30th.
Schools will be eligible for their share of the $ 2 billion incentive once classes resume for at least those kindergarten through second grade students.
The rest of the funding, $ 4.6 billion, is aimed at helping schools make up for lost learning time or, as Newsom puts it, “reinventing the school year,” which could include longer school days and / or or summer.
Ultimately, reopening decisions rested with the superintendents of each district, not the state. Funding, which is primarily intended for personal protective equipment, improved ventilation and other security protocols, can provide the incentive districts they need.
Some teacher unions, including United Teacher Los Angeles (UTLA), which represents educators from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), have opposed resuming classes until teachers have a chance to get vaccinated.
As of today, the group of people eligible to receive a vaccine in Los Angeles has expanded to include educators.
LAUSD, the nation’s second-largest district, has secured 25,000 doses of vaccine for teachers and staff, which will initially focus on inoculating those already working in schools, preschools and elementary school teachers, according to Superintendent Austin Beutner.
Meanwhile, UTLA members are voting today on whether to agree to return before staff have full access to vaccinations and safety conditions are in place.
The agreement specifies that districts may resume class regardless of whether unions sign the session.