RIVERVIEW, Fla. — Three days after rejecting Hillsborough County’s new plan to keep the first four weeks of school virtual, Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran and Gov. Ron DeSantis conducted a roundtable discussion on reopening schools at a charter school in Hillsborough County. 

During the nearly 30 minute long discussion Monday, while seated with parents and staff members at Winthrop Academy College Prep in Riverview, DeSantis complemented the school’s plan of blending both virtual and in-person learning options. 

Both DeSantis and Corcoran failed to mention the changes to Hillsborough County’s plan and stern letter that followed from the Department of Education until questioned by reporters. 

Last week, the Hillsborough County School Board voted to change their reopening plan that had been previously approved by the state, to instead offer online learning only for the first four weeks of the school year. On Friday, Corcoran sent a letter to the board stating that the modified plan contradicts state guidelines and they have until August 14 to submit modifications or their funding could be impacted. 

During the roundtable discussion Monday, Corcoran shared his feelings about Hillsborough County’s modified plan. 

“We have 66 districts all very content with their plans that they’ve submitted. We have one district who submitted a plan, liked their plan, and then suddenly went back,” he said. “They have that right! Is it right by parents? Is it right by students? Is it right by teachers? No, it’s not.” 

Corcoran was not clear what the repercussions would be if Hillsborough County continues with their plan to delay reopening brick and mortar schools. 

“That's why we came up with the emergency order. If you go to a strictly virtual model, under the existing law, without the emergency order then the funding is less. So we did the emergency order so that those local districts would not have to worry about getting funded less. It was to give them the true flexibility to be able to serve every single person here in this room,” he said. “Give them that flexibility and we will fully fund you.” 

Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Addison Davis was not in attendance during the discussion Monday. It is not clear if he was invited or informed of DeSantis’ visit. 

School district spokesperson Tanya Arja issued this statement in response to the comments made by Corcoran: 

“Our district explicitly followed the state’s executive order. The order provides school districts the option of not opening brick and mortar “subject to advise or orders of the Florida Department of Health, (or) local departments of health”. Last Thursday, our School Board made an informed decision after hearing from the local public health authority and local infectious disease experts. The panel was asked if we should open our doors and not one medical professional could recommend opening today. The state’s order goes on to say the day-to-day decision to open or close a school always rests locally.”

School is scheduled to start for Hillsborough County students on August 24. ​