With the health and safety of its 9,000+ employees and 70,000 students top of mind, Brevard Public Schools stood ready to reconnect with students on August 24th and inspire a renewed commitment to learning.
Reopening Schools
BPS’ innovative re-opening plan was recently approved by the Florida Department of Education and allows for both an eLearning and face-to-face option to ensure the district is meeting the needs of its families while de-densifying schools at the same time. The full-time eLearning from home option offers students the ability to still be part of their enrolled school (including choice schools) and participate in live instruction and peer interaction from home. This option mirrors the school day where students are present online for its duration.
In preparation for school re-opening, numerous health and safety protocols have been implemented, some of which include:
- Modified desk/table setups to maximize distance
- Modified hallway traffic patterns
- Plexi-glass barrier installation
- Modified school schedules to limit exposure
- Frequent disinfecting of high-touch surfaces
- Hand sanitizer dispenser additions at key campus areas
- Transportation route adjustments to limit exposure
- HVAC filter changes and cycle modifications for increased circulation
- Mask requirement for grades 3-12 and strongly recommended for K-2
- Custodial strike team formation and protocols
- Touchless thermometers
- Face shields, KN-95 and see-through face coverings as well as plexi-glass dividers for teachers
2020-2021 District Priorities
In addition to reopening schools safely, district priorities for the 2020-2021 school year will center on the district’s mission of “serving every child with excellence as the standard” and include:
- Continuing to deliver a high-quality educational experience for every student
- Elevating the district’s commitment to equity among students and staff
- Educating employees, families and the greater community on the need for a sales surtax renewal
Half-Cent Sales Surtax Extension
The extension of the half-cent sales surtax to support Brevard Public Schools is on the November 3rd election ballot. A district-wide needs assessment conducted in 2014 identified more than $757 million dollars worth of critical projects throughout Brevard Public Schools specifically for ailing facilities, outdated technology, and security upgrades. Significant progress has been made in addressing these needs since voters passed the sales surtax six years ago.
By the time the surtax sunsets on December 31st, some $270 million dollars of funding will have been generated by the surtax, equating to approximately 25% of the facility renewal needs originally identified in 2014. The need for sustainable progress remains vital in continuing necessary maintenance, replacements, and repairs, while modernizing aging classrooms. More than 62% of Brevard’s public schools are over 50 years old and many classrooms look just as they did back then.
Learn more at BrevardSchools.org/SurtaxRenewal.