LANSING, Mich. — To reduce the spread of Coronavirus in Michigan, today Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-35, which orders all K-12 school buildings to close for the remainder of the school year — unless restrictions are lifted — and ensures continuity of learning by setting guidelines for remote learning. In response, Michigan Virtual President and CEO Jamey Fitzpatrick issued the following statement:
“Michigan is facing an unprecedented crisis. Our world is fighting a global pandemic that has implications impacting our everyday lives, including the ability of our children to spend time together in their classrooms. Governor Gretchen Whitmer today called for the closure of schools for the remainder of the school year. This is by no means a light or easy decision, yet we applaud her leadership at such a critical time. While best protecting our overall health and safety, we must also recognize that there will be long-term implications for educators and parents as they navigate this development in the months to come. Michigan must work together to better prepare for closures, and utilize innovative remote learning opportunities to ensure the academic success of our students moving forward. Concerns about not being able to reach all children equally today are warranted and justified. We need to educate the children we can with the systems we have in place while urgently building the capacity to serve more students as quickly as possible, assuring both access and equity. Our educational structure has been forever changed by this pandemic: we are addressing the many challenges and defining the ways in which remote learning can be implemented. We look forward to working with Gov. Whitmer, the legislature, the Michigan Department of Education, and school leaders in the months ahead to put solutions in place for our youth, and for the future of education as a whole.”
