Gov. McMaster says SC schools to remain closed for rest of school year

UPDATE:

COLUMBIA, SC (WBTW) – South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster announced during a news conference Wednesday that schools in the state would remain closed for the remainder of the school year.

McMaster said he’ll sign an executive order closings schools for the remainder of the school year next week.

McMaster and state superintendent Molly Spearman encouraged school districts, parents and others involved to find ways to hold graduation ceremonies despite the closure.

There will be flexibility statewide for people who need special instruction or summer education camps, Spearman said. State officials are looking at the possibility of using funding from the CARES Act to carry out summer remediation and support programs. Spearman added there are options for summer school and a plan is in the works should summer schools need to be held online.

Spearman also said e-learning will continue through each district’s last calendar day.

A task force will be announced in the coming days to organize how in-person education can resume in August, Spearman said. She said state officials will have to look closely at the possibility of making changes to school days to limit contact and the spread of the virus as necessary.

Spearman also says she feels a digital divide has become apparent in the state as education moved online. She said there are many communities where families don’t have access to the internet and some children don’t do well learning virtually.

This is a developing story. Count on News13 for updates. 

COLUMBIA, SC (WBTW) – South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and SC State Superintendent of Edcuation Molly Spearman are scheduled to make an announcement Wednesday.

The governor’s office says the announcement will take place at the SC Emergency Operations Center in West Columbia around 11 a.m.

News13 will live stream this announcement here on this page or on our website live events player.

On March 24, News13 reported that schools in SC would remain closed through the end of April.

Count on News13 for updates.

LATEST HEADLINES: