Dear LNC Families,
Last night, the LNC Board of Education voted to extend remote learning (plan C) through Friday, February 5. Here is a recording of the meeting.
We know that some of you read this news with great relief and we know that others are extremely disappointed with this decision. Because opinions and preferences about this subject are usually deeply rooted and run the gamut, we feel we owe our community an explanation on how we arrived here.
As you are likely aware, on Tuesday, the Mecklenburg County Health Department suddenly issued a directive that schools utilize remote learning (Plan C) through February 2. Prior to the directive, the Safe Schools Committee had no additional recommendation planned that would have changed the course of LNC’s return to hybrid learning on January 21. While the concerning metrics in Mecklenburg County were carefully reviewed and duly weighed, the committee largely based its recommendation on LNC’s COVID-19 school data and the supporting conclusion that our protocols are working and are effective in keeping our staff and students safe.
However, after considering the directive, the committee believes that it is unwise to disregard the direction coming from our county’s top local health agency. Social responsibility is at the core of our school’s mission and we cannot disregard the call to do our part for the greater good of our community. Therefore, the committee recommended that the board vote to extend remote learning through February 5. This timing allows the committee to regroup and reevaluate any new state and local guidance prior to the board meeting on February 4.
We realize that sudden changes in decisions that cause our families to need to turn on a dime are difficult and often incredibly stressful. We continue to try to balance that fact with being responsive to this situation. However, we cannot promise that we will not need to change course again in three weeks. Our conviction continues to be that students learn best in school and we will return them to that setting just as quickly as we deem prudent. Families should not assume that we would indefinitely and inevitably adhere to guidance from outside agencies who are issuing directives based on a much wider set of factors.
The committee, the administration and the board will continue to tirelessly monitor our landscape, both on our campuses and in our greater community, and fearlessly make the best decision we can as we weigh a number of competing factors and considerations. We understand that we will not be able to please everyone, which is all the more why we appreciate and value all of our stakeholders’ ongoing support and trust.
