Clark County (Nev.) School District students will start the 2020-21 school year remotely.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that the school board for the nation's fifth-largest district has unanimously approved a full-time return to distance learning.
In addition to distance learning, the board opted for a hybrid teleworking model for professional development for staffers, a traditional schedule for high school students and a semester-based schedule for middle school students.
In recent weeks, several board members expressed their preference for full-time distance learning to start the year, and pressure has grown on the district to follow the lead of other major school systems that have chosen to keep buildings shuttered during the pandemic.
Many teachers have indicated they prefer distance learning. A Clark County Education Association survey of more than 11,000 teachers found that 74% favor the model over school buildings reopening.
District staffers have warned that Clark County may not have enough devices for students who need equipment for remote learning.
An online survey of district families sent last week indicated that 45% have access to a personal device, 21% have access to a district device, 28% have access to a shared device and 6% have no device access at all.
The district is planning to use $28 million in federal emergency funds to acquire Chromebooks.
