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Whitmer said it's 'very unlikely' kids will return to school this year

Posted at 11:08 AM, Mar 27, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-27 17:39:21-04

(WXYZ) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Friday morning that it's "very unlikely" schools will resume this year.

Speaking to WWJ Newsradio 950, Whitmer said "We are working diligently to come up with a plan to meet the needs of our kids. I think anyone who's watching what is happening globally with this pandemic knows it's probably very unlikely they're going to get back into school before the end of the year."

Related: State education department: Online schooling won't count toward annual requirement

Earlier this month, as the outbreak was beginning, Whitmer announced that K-12 schools would close, and that closure was extended until at least April 13 under her stay-at-home executive order.

Related: Federal requirements for Michigan school testing, school accountability to be waived

During a press conference on Thursday, the governor said that a plan for teachers and school districts regarding the future could come out next week.

"I cannot unilaterally address the issues around the education of our kids. So we are working. We've already had a lot of meetings with the legislature, with the Michigan Department of Education, with our experts on the front line, superintendents and teachers, to make sure that we have a thoughtful solution," she said Thursday.

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