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Rep. Markkanen announces bipartisan plan to address education as COVID-19 outbreak continues
RELEASE|April 2, 2020

Plan waives school days, ensures workers are fully compensated

Rep. Greg Markkanen today announced the Legislature has reached a bipartisan agreement with the governor to put students on the best path to success as school buildings remain closed to protect Michigan families from the spread of COVID-19.

The agreement closes all public and private school buildings for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year unless they are later deemed safe. It also forgives 15 days of instruction beyond the nine snow days currently allowed under state law. School districts are required to use resources from days that have been waived to ensure all hourly and contracted employees are fully compensated.

“My colleagues and I worked closely with the governor’s office to develop a plan that will protect students, provide more home-learning opportunities and offer peace of mind for our educators and other school employees who deserve to be paid during this unprecedented health crisis,” said Markkanen, of Hancock.

To allow for home-learning options, school districts are granted a waiver from the requirement for students to be physically present in buildings. Education plans should try to address the needs of all students, including special education students and children who lack access to technology.

“As a retired teacher, it’s been moving to see all of the creative ways families have found to support their students over the past few weeks,” Markkanen said. “I appreciate all of the hours parents and teachers are putting in to ensure their students do not fall behind on their studies.”

School districts will be allowed to begin the 2020-2021 school year in August, prior to the Sept. 7 Labor Day holiday, to make up for unfortunate learning loss that has resulted from the time out of school this year.

Rep. Markkanen and his staff are working remotely, so they can continue to serve residents during the COVID-19 outbreak. People with questions or concerns can reach his office by calling (517) 373-0850 or emailing [email protected].

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