(Photo: Detroit Pubic Schools Community District)
It's not official until the governor says so, perhaps by Wednesday, but a respected news site expects Gretchen Whitmer "to sign an executive order in coming days that will officially close public and private K-12 schools for the remainder of the school year due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic."
Bridge reporter Ron French cites six unnamed "people directly involved in the drafting of the order or who have been informed of its contours."
The order is expected to say school buildings will be closed for the remainder of the school year, which typically ends in June.
Schools will provide some form of remote learning for students through the remainder of the school year. It was unclear whether that learning would involve grades or be mandatory.
The governor visits Wass Elementary pupils in Troy on March 2. (Photo: Troy Schools)
Not so fast and loose, posts the governor's communications director Monday night. "This is really sloppy reporting by Bridge," tweets Zack Pohl. "Lots of inaccuracies. No final decisions have been made. Irresponsible to publish anonymous gossip like this during a crisis."
Bridge's article acknowledges that details "were still being finalized Monday" and that "last-minute changes remain possible." These are among nine items listed by French as reportedly contemplated for the executive order:
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High school seniors will graduate, even if they were still taking required courses, as long as they were on pace to do so before the state-mandated shutdown March 16.
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Students advance to their next grade at the start of the 2020-21 academic year, as long as they were on pace to be promoted.
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To get full state funding through June 30, schools must continue to pay teacnher and other employees until then.
