As the president is discussing “re-opening” the country and returning to what will be our new normal, he put schools under phase 2 of his plan. Today the Governor of Texas will provide us with his plan to for Texas. I look for something similar.

I am advocating for keeping school close the remainder of the current school year. The reason is because Texas has a population of just over 29 million people, 6.2 million of those are associated with schools as students or employees. So roughly 20% of the state’s population is associated with schools.

Keeping this 20% home will continue to flatten the curve. Schools amount to large petri dishes where there are more germs and infectious agents in one place than imaginable. Parents will send the kids to school sick frequently for whatever reasons and there is always someone sick at school.

The majority of the students will adjust and make-up what they need going forward. The senior class is losing out on a couple of spring traditions; prom and graduation. Many schools are planning late July/early August graduations. It would appear that prom is just gone. To some it will not matter, but to others it would be the last time that they would dress and spend time with their classmates before going out into the world on their chosen paths.

If we do not keep the schools closed now, then we will be doing this all over in the fall. For those of you new to Texas, that means NO HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL. In Texas, football is more important to some people than most things. It is a source of pride for the community and the schools. So, if you want to see football in the fall, then stay home so we can get through this sooner rather than later.

David R. Taylor                                                                                                                                   32-Year Principal, Teacher, and Coach