Here are parameters set by members of the Marion County School Board for Fall Sports 2020: 

• 4 vouchers will be given to each participating MCPS student (athlete, cheerleader, band member, etc.). Students may distribute vouchers as they like.
• Vouchers must be presented at gate to purchase tickets (one ticket per voucher). No voucher, no ticket. No general admission.
• Restricted entrance for better control.
• Bring a face covering.  Ticket purchasers must abide by Marion County School Board resolution requiring face coverings on all School Board property when safe social distancing is not possible per CDC recommendations.
• Spectators in bleachers and other areas are expected to safely social distance.
• Capacity limited to 50 percent.
• Spectator contact prohibited with student athletes to limit physical exposure.
• Media will remain in limited staging areas.  No face-to-face interviews will be provided.
• Paid parking may be available on a school-by-school basis.
• MCPS employees must wear badge for sole admission.
• Concession sales may be available in a pre-packaged format on a school-by-school basis.
• Public water fountains will not be available.

School Board members provided consensus to the following regarding rental of school and district facilities:

PHASE ONE – Sept. 8, 2020

• Current tenants can rent again
• Exterior facilities only
• Practices only - No public events
• Virtual groups possible

PHASE TWO – Oct. 2, 2020

• Current tenants can rent again
• Public events allowed with capacity limits
• Concessions sold but not in MCPS facilities

PHASE THREE – Oct. 16, 2020

• New tenants can submit agreements
• Interior facilities available for rent

Rental of Facilities Agreement is being revised but fees have not changed.  Fees for utilities, rentals, custodial services, and supervisory fees still apply. A temporary addendum applies during the pandemic and requires strict adherence to Marion County Public Schools reopening guidelines, procedures, and face covering resolution.  Social distancing must occur, and procedures are in place for emergency cancellations, terminations, and required security.

In its work session today, the Marion County School Board noted the following:

• 10AM Friday deadline (August 21) for parents/families to choose traditional face-to-face or MCPSonline learning.  No responses default to face-to-face learning. 
• Facilities Agreements - task force recommendation(s) forthcoming in two weeks.
• Athletics - sports will proceed starting August 24. No travelling out-of-county. Some sports will be considered on an individual basis due to unique conditions.
• Extra-curricular clubs will operate with additional guidelines starting August 24.
• Extra-curricular musical activities (band, chorus, etc.) will take place with additional guidelines starting August 24.
• Students may be sent home if showing any of these symptoms of COVID-19: 
  • Fever ≥100.4°F
  • New uncontrolled cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Difficulty breathing
  • New onset severe headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea  

Based on the latest information from the Florida Department of Health in Marion County (FLDOH-MC), once our schools reopen for face-to-face learning:

• Parents. families, and employees should anticipate "perpetual disruptions" forcing 14-day quarantines that could happen daily. This means anyone exposed to a possible or positive COVID-19 case could be sent home for a 14-day quarantine, return to school or work, and be sent home again if exposed to another possible or positive COVID-19 case.

• All contact tracing of students and staff will be conducted by the FLDOH-MC. For the safety of our entire school community, we encourage complete cooperation with health officials. 

• Every effort will be made to maintain a "continuity of instruction" so quarantined students can continue learning with their own teacher, or at least a teacher from their own school.  This may not always be possible. 

• COVID-19 testing for MCPS students and staff members will be expedited by the FLDOH-MC.  This means results should be returned within 24-48 hours. A special form will be issued by the school and required by FLDOH-MC to expedite COVID-19 testing.

• Quarantines depend heavily on "close contact" defined by FLDOH-MC as being within six feet of someone suspected of COVID-19 exposure or positive testing, for at least 15 minutes, regardless of face covering. 

• Discipline is likely for students and staff members who refuse to wear face coverings as required by School Board Resolution 20-07 when safe social distancing is not possible.

School Board members reached consensus on the following items: 

Hybrid Work Option for Employees for Weeks 2 & 3 (August 10-21)

MCPS employees, whose job classifications allow as outlined in the state-approved MCPS Innovative Reopening Plan, may use the hybrid option of work, performing duties at another location and reporting to the worksite as needed and as requested by their supervisor.  Employees should contact their immediate supervisor with questions.

MCPSonline Teachers Report (August 24)

MCPSonline teachers must report for work at their physical worksite unless they are out using accrued and/or approved leave.

Telework for Employees Excluded for COVID-19 Reasons

School Board members held an emergency meeting today to hear the latest on reopening schools come August 3 for employees and August 24 for students, both in-person and online.  The four-hour meeting addressed several components of reopening, all considered “fluid and flexible” as of today:

When will school start?

The Marion County School Board approved a calendar that starts class options for students, as chosen by their parents, on Monday, August 24, for both traditional in-class learning and MCPSonline. This plan calls for a 170-day school year instead of the traditional 180-day school calendar. 

As of now, the last day of school for all students will be May 26, 2021. Traditionally, seniors have been dismissed a week earlier, but to meet the state’s 900 instructional-hour requirement, all students will be in class through May 26, 2021. 

All early release days are now full class days while most weather make-up days remain intact. 

Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring Breaks all remain unchanged.

 

When will school-based staff members start the new school year?

School-based staff members report on Monday, August 3, and will receive three weeks of professional development to prepare for the start of school and training on new safety standards.

 

When will school start?

The Marion County School Board approved a calendar that starts class options for students, as chosen by their parents, on Monday, August 24, for both traditional in-class learning and MCPSonline.  This plan calls for a 170-day school year instead of the traditional 180-day school calendar. 

 

As of now, the last day of school for all students will be May 26, 2021.  Traditionally, seniors have been dismissed a week earlier, but to meet the state’s 900 instructional-hour requirement, all students will be in class through May 26, 2021.  

 

All early release days are now full class days while most weather make-up days remain intact. 

 

Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring Breaks all remain unchanged.  

 

When will school-based staff members start the new school year? 

School-based staff members report on Monday, August 3, and will receive three weeks of professional development to prepare for the start of school and training on new safety standards. 

 

What about extra-curricular activities like sports, band, cheerleading, and school clubs?

Quarter three for extra-curricular summer activities is extended until the School Board meets again on July 30.  This decision was based on new information from the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletics Association) and uncertainty on when athletics and other activities will be allowed to resume.

Quarter three for extra-curricular summer activities is extended until the School Board meets again on July 30. This decision was based on new information from the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletics Association) and uncertainty on when athletics and other activities will be allowed to resume.

Will students wear masks in classrooms?

Masks or face shields will be required when social distancing is difficult or not possible (i.e. hallways, common areas, school bus, etc.).

 

Has the start date for the 2020-2021 school year changed?

The School Board has agreed to begin face to face, traditional instruction no earlier than August 24th. The start date for MCPSonline is still being considered.