Los Angeles schools Supt. Austin Beutner on Tuesday presented a plan to the school board for reopening campuses that includes the full period needed for employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, delaying the return of elementary students to early April at best.
Reopening was not before the board for a vote — and members voiced no objections to Beutner’s characterization of the situation. Board member Monica Garcia asked staffers to make it clear to the public that the district was not at fault for any delay in vaccinations and that the allocation of doses depends on county and state officials.
The San Diego Unified School District, the state’s second-largest, on Tuesday announced a vaccination effort under which all “teachers who wish to be vaccinated have had the opportunity to do so,” according to a release. In addition to waiting for full immunity, the planned April 12 reopening requires San Diego County to return to the “red tier,” which is a one-level improvement over “purple,” which signifies widespread community transmission.