Dear LNC Parents,
We want to update you on the recently-passed state legislation (Senate Bill 220) pertaining to grades 6-12 operating under plan A. While the legislation allowed traditional public schools to choose this option, it did not provide public charter schools with that same choice. However, a new bill was filed just this afternoon that would allow charter schools that same option. If you would like to express your support of public charter schools having the same flexibility and choice as traditional public schools, a list of state officials is included below. Please see LNC Board Chair Rick Buckler’s video to learn more and peruse the short Q & A that follows that may address some of your questions. Finally, here is a just-released article from The News & Observer that does a good job of explaining the situation.
Q: Why can’t LNC consider plan A now for its middle and high school?
A: Please see State Superintendent Catherine Truitt's letter. Although charter schools are public schools, the legislation distinguishes between the two, allowing traditional public schools the flexibility to opt for plan A and but denying that option to charter schools.
Q: If the new legislation passes, will LNC definitely shift to plan A?
A: Not necessarily. The Safe Schools Committee will consider the legislation guidelines and timing and make a recommendation to the board.
Q: Will the board consider a shift to plan A if the state legislation isn’t passed for several weeks?
A: Shifting from plan B to plan A cannot happen overnight. There are many health and safety, facility, logistical and administrative tasks that must be addressed to ensure a safe and successful transition. This behind-the-scenes work takes time. Therefore, March 30 is the last day that we could receive a legislative option to move our HS and MS to plan A.
Q: What is the difference between plan A and plan B?
A: The only difference is that plan B requires schools to provide 6’ of social distancing and plan A does not. Not requiring social distance allows schools to have more students in the building at one time. This would allow LNC to bring students back to school four days per week versus two.
Q: Does this impact our current ES operations?
A: No, LNC ES is now fully operating in plan A and will continue to do so as this matter does not impact elementary schools.
Q: Would LNC consider moving 5th grade to plan A if legislation is not passed to permit all MS and HS students to attend school 4 days a week?
A: While we consider 5th grade middle school in every other way, the board can consider a departure in this special circumstance to provide more in-person learning because of this highly unusual situation.
Q: Will my student be allowed to remain a distance learner?
A: Yes, we will continue to provide the option for distance learning and moreover, understand that some of our families' preference for distance learning may change if we were to transition from plan B to plan A. If that happens, we will give families an opportunity to elect distance learning.
