TAMPA, Fla. — Hillsborough County Superintendent Addison Davis wants to cut $7.5 million in district level positions.

On Tuesday, he laid out his plan, which included the elimination of at least 100 district-level jobs.

But how will those proposed cuts impact summer school and students’ physical return to schools in the fall?

Although a start date for the 2020-21 school year is still contingent on local cases of covid-19, Hillsborough schools is preparing for students to return to the classroom in the fall.

Meanwhile, summer classes will begin for most on June 15 and they will all be virtual.

For Kindergarten through 4th grade, virtual summer camps will be available for those students who have fallen one year behind in math or reading.

For 6th to 12th graders, a virtual course recovery program for students needing to retake failed science, math, language arts or social studies classes.

And a virtual grade enhancement program for freshman and sophomores who have fallen behind in their first years of high school.

Davis said he is hoping the new school year can begin in August, but a potential start date after Labor Day has been floated. 

Any start date will depend on CDC guidelines and any local outbreaks of coronavirus.

But when school does start, Davis said the top priority will be students and staff health and safety.

"We are looking at how we are going to screen students and staff before they come into our schools due to covid 19,” Davis said.  “We are going to look at social distancing procedures within our classrooms, common areas, on our buses.  

“(And) look at how we are going to clean our classrooms between classes and between school days."

The school district says 24,000 students are eligible for summer school this year.

HEALTH AND SAFETY WILL BE KEY FOCUS

Davis said the district will be coming up with health screening procedures, social distancing guidelines for campuses and events, new rules for cleaning and disinfecting, especially in "high touch" areas, and figuring out how to handle food service and transportation.

He said once they have a firm plan in place, it will be released to the public. He said he wants everyone to be informed and feel confident and safe.

"In that process, they will know procedures, they will know expectations for students, for teachers, for families, for instruction, for us to have a reopening that is flawless every single day."

Davis said there is no timeline yet for reopening schools. He said he will be following the direction of the Florida Department of Education. He said he hopes to know a date on or before August 1.