VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Office of Education on July 10 released a document intended to help local public schools prepare for the start of the 2020-2021 school year. The Framework for Reopening Ventura County Schools was prepared by the Ventura County Office of Education in consultation with Ventura County Public Health and the county’s school districts and charter schools.
The document includes requirements and guidelines based on the latest information from state and local public health officials. It aims to provide schools with maximum flexibility on how they will function during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic while keeping the health and safety of students and employees a top priority.
“The coming school year is going to be unlike any other we have experienced before,” said Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Stan Mantooth. “Our school leaders and teachers have done a tremendous job adapting to continually changing circumstances. I am confident they will make the decisions that are best for their communities with the Framework serving as a guide.”
The Framework was created by a task force led by Dr. Antonio Castro, VCOE’s Associate Superintendent for Educational Services. The task force included representatives from the Ventura County Office of Education, Ventura County Public Health and local school districts. It provides extensive information about safety protocols on school campuses and how to respond to the potential for confirmed cases of COVID-19 among students and staff.
Each school district and charter school in Ventura County is deciding independently what combination of in-class and distance learning they plan to offer for the new school year. They are each developing their own reopening plans that will be submitted to the Ventura County Office of Education for review.
The Framework is a ‘living document’ that will be updated as conditions change. The latest version of the Framework is attached and updated versions will be posted at www.vcoe.org/coronavirus.
About the Ventura County Office of Education —The Ventura County Office of Education provides a broad array of fiscal, training and technology support services to local school districts, helping to maintain and improve lifelong educational opportunities for children, educators and community members. VCOE also operates schools that serve students with severe disabilities and behavioral issues, provides career education courses, and coordinates countywide academic competitions including Mock Trial and the Ventura County Science Fair. Learn more at: www.vcoe.org.