Henderson: WCPS should implement Plan C for first nine weeks

The Wayne County Board of Education voted to recess its regular monthly meeting Monday as Hurricane Isaias barreled toward the North Carolina coast — but not before one board member made a pitch to change the school’s reopening plan.

Len Henderson asked to make statement before the end of the meeting because he will not be in town for Wednesday’s resumption of the session.

Henderson told board members that he has been researching COVID-19 and reviewing comments from the community and county officials regarding the district’s Plan B reopening.

Teachers on the non-traditional calendar are due back Thursday, with students set to return Aug. 12.

Teachers on the traditional calendar are due back on campus on Aug. 10, with students returning Aug. 17.

Henderson, who will not have a vote in any discussions regarding the Plan B return Wednesday due to his absence, said he was particularly concerned about Labor Day weekend.

“You see a major spike in COVID infections after a major holiday, and we are coming up on a major holiday,” he said.

The board waived its normal procedures to allow Henderson to make his statement.

“I would ask that you consider moving to nine weeks of remote instruction,” he said.

Wayne County is one of very few districts across the region that are opening in August with Plan B. Duplin, Johnston, Wilson, Wake, Cumberland, Durham, Sampson and Lenoir are among those that have decided to begin the school year with remote instruction.

No comments were made regarding Henderson’s statement.

The board is set to resume its session — and to hear the latest details of the Plan B reopening plan from Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Tamara Berman-Ishee — at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

For more on Monday’s board meeting and coverage of Wednesday’s session, follow the New Old North here and on our Facebook and Instagram pages @NewOldNorth.