Arkansas officials say on-site schooling required

Education Secretary Johnny Key said Wednesday that the state's response to school districts that refuse to comply is "something we hope we don't have to explore." More photos at arkansasonline.com/86briefing/. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Thomas Metthe)
Education Secretary Johnny Key said Wednesday that the state's response to school districts that refuse to comply is "something we hope we don't have to explore." More photos at arkansasonline.com/86briefing/. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Thomas Metthe)

Citing the Arkansas Constitution's requirement for the state to offer students an adequate education, state officials said Wednesday that most schools must offer in-person instruction five days a week during the school year that starts later this month.

Schools closed abruptly in the spring near the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

"This is not a change in our stance at all since March when the governor made the announcement to close schools for on-site instruction," Education Secretary Johnny Key said.

"We have said since Day One that the plan for the fall is to come back and have school on-site.

"We had been made aware that some districts were making plans that were for fewer than five days [a week], and we felt like that clarification was needed today to make sure that districts understood we do have a state responsibility," he said.

Also on Wednesday, Gov. Asa Hutchinson named Jose Romero as the state's health secretary, elevating him from the interim status he had held, and announced a plan to test all of the state's prison inmates for the coronavirus.

The Department of Health also issued guidelines allowing community and school bands and choirs to resume practices and performances, with requirements for participants to wear masks even while singing or playing and for all performances and practices to be held outdoors.

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