DeVos calls out Fairfax County Public Schools as she pushes for schools to reopen in fall
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (ABC7) — Tensions are growing between local and federal officials, after Education Secretary Betsy DeVos publicly criticized the reopening plan that's been laid out by Fairfax County Public Schools. DeVos made the comments during a coronavirus task force briefing.
"Fairfax County, which is one of the most well-funded, I would call it an elite public school system in America, offered families a so called choice for this fall: either zero days in school for their students or two days. And their springtime attempt at distance learning was a disaster. I give this as an example because things like this cannot happen again in the fall," DeVos said.
Fairfax County Public Schools has been holding public meetings about two 'Return to School' options being offered to parents. The first option is for full-time online instruction and the other is two days of in-school instruction plus independent study at home.
RELATED: Most Fairfax County parents still undecided on virtual, in-person options for their kids
The Trump administration has said the option Fairfax County Public Schools and all school systems should be offering is five days a week in a school building. Wednesday, DeVos directly criticized Fairfax County Public Schools by name.
RELATED: DeVos rejects part-time reopening for schools amid pandemic
"Ultimately it’s not a matter of if schools should reopen, it’s simply a matter of how. They must fully open and they must be fully operational," said DeVos.
Fairfax County Public Schools responded with this statement on Wednesday:
“To be clear, no one is satisfied with the current state of education since the global pandemic forced the closure of all Virginia schools in March of 2020. We would ALL prefer to have our school year, this fall, as a “normal” in-person school year. However, the health and safety of our staff, our students, and our community must outweigh all other factors. We are following the guidance of local, state and federal health officials in developing our return to school plan. We are working hard to ensure that FCPS students will receive meaningful instruction – both virtually and in-person - along with the opportunity to engage with students and staff this fall. “
A spokesperson from Virginia Governor Ralph Northam's office also addressed DeVos' comments on Wednesday, releasing the following statement to ABC7:
"This is about public health. While Governor Northam wants nothing more than to have children back in school this fall, recent surges in other states make it clear we need to proceed cautiously. We must continue to prioritize safety not just for students and their families, but for teachers, staff, and communities across the Commonwealth. I would also note that the Trump administration has yet to release any comprehensive plan for reopening schools. No one not Secretary DeVos or the President of the United States should be playing politics."
FCPS School Board Member Rachna Sizemore Heizer responded on Twitter, saying that DeVos doesn't know Fairfax County Public Schools.
"We love our kids & staff & won't be bullied into blatantly unsafe plans. She doesn't know me well. No one bullies me into unnecessarily risking lives," she wrote.
RELATED: 'There are two choices': Fairfax County Public Schools unveils return to school plan
To learn more about FCPS' 'Return to School' plan, click here.
Fairfax County families have until July 15 to let the school district know whether they prefer all virtual learning or a hybrid option that includes two days of in-school instruction plus independent study.
