El Dorado County Schools Remain Open for In-person Instruction

00:00 AM - November 16, 2020

Today, November 16, the State of California announced that El Dorado County has moved into the Purple or ‘Widespread’ tier of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. This does not impact El Dorado County schools, county-wide El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE) programs or administrative offices that have reopened their facilities to hybrid, in-person instruction/operations. Any El Dorado County schools that have not opened to in-person instruction will now be required to wait until the County returns to a less restrictive tier and follow a different process for re-opening. It is important to note that education is considered an essential function and is not a ‘gathering’ as defined by the state.

“El Dorado County schools are following comprehensive plans for providing in-person instruction that are in alignment with state and local health guidance,” Dr. Manansala, El Dorado County Superintendent of Schools, explained. “Due to their thoughtful implementation, partnerships with students and their families, and the dedicated efforts of our educators, El Dorado County schools have demonstrated that they are among the safest places for students to be at this time.”

Eric Bonniksen, Placerville Union School District Superintendent, expressed, “We are concerned with the County moving into the Purple Tier but have been very pleased with how our current protocols are working along with our relationship with Dr. Williams, El Dorado County Public Health Officer, and the Public Health Department. We are looking forward to continuing to serve our students in the current hybrid format. Just like everyone, we are hoping that as a community, we can reverse this trend and move forward with the progress we were having.”

As schools have reopened for in-person learning El Dorado County educators and families have validated the benefits of in-person learning. School districts have been working hand-in-hand with the EDCOE and Department of Public Health to keep staff and students safe. “It is unfortunate that El Dorado County has moved into the Purple Tier, but schools appear to be safe places for students and staff – there are no plans to fall backward if these conditions do not change,” Dr. Nancy Williams, El Dorado County Public Health Officer, noted. “Now more than ever, we need our community’s individual efforts to take precautions and band together to decrease these new-case rates. We will need this to happen to progress further with in-person schooling as well as to keep students' parents employed and businesses open.

“As we move through these challenges together, we maintain our focus on the health and safety of our schools, programs and community,” Dr. Manansala added. “Thank you to those who are supporting these efforts that help prevent the spread of this virus and keep our schools open.”   

Back Back