COVID-19

As our community strives to respond to COVID-19 and its impact, all of us at Public Education Partners are reminded of how critically important public schools are to our civic life.

Thank you to Greenville County Schools leadership, administrators, teachers, and staff for their tireless work over the last few weeks and in the days to come as we navigate this moment. We are proud to stand with you and other community organizations as a partner.

Please see below for a current and updated listing of relevant policy and legislation updates, as well as resources for teachers and parents.

K-12 POLICY UPDATES

PEP’s policy and advocacy team are tracking local, state, and federal policy responses to the COVID-19 crisis. You can access the team’s running updates here.

Highlights

  • Governor McMaster has ordered all schools to remain closed through April 30, 2020. You can access the Governor’s executive orders here.
  • Most spring 2020 testing has been cancelled, including the SC READY and SCPASS exams.
  • The South Carolina General Assembly – currently out of session – reconvened last week for the purpose of passing a Continuing Resolution (to extend the 2019 – 20 state budget until a 2020 – 21 can be passed) and a Sine Die Resolution (to end the legislative session, likely until fall 2020). The two bodies were unable to negotiate the two resolutions and no bills were sent to Governor McMaster for his signature.
  • SC legislators could have $1.2 billion less to spend in 2020 – 21, but even with a three-month shutdown the state could still have a $750 million surplus to work with.
  • SC seniors will still be able to graduate this year, according to Superintendent Molly Spearman. They will be graded on the school work they’re doing from home.
  • The federal CARES Act was signed into law on Friday, March 27th. $13.5 billion of the $2.2 trillion stimulus is earmarked for K-12 schools.
  • South Carolina will receive nearly $2 billion of the CARES Act stimulus money, and the Governor will have significant discretion in the way the funds are allocated.

RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

The United Way of Greenville County is coordinating COVID-19 response efforts in partnership with Greenville County Schools and other area nonprofits. Learn more here.