TAMPA, Fla. — Parents and guardians of Hillsborough County students have until midnight tonight to make an important decision. 

The Declaration of Intent is due back to the school district tonight at 11:59 p.m.

Parents and guardians have to decide and submit their plans for kids – whether they will return to the classroom or continue online learning from home.


What You Need To Know


Also, the Hillsborough County School Board will vote this coming week on whether or not to delay the start of school by two weeks

During a school board meeting on Thursday, Hillsborough Schools Superintendent Addison Davis recommended pushing back the start of school from August 10 to August 24. 

Davis cited recommendations from the medical community as a reason for the delayed start.

He said he hoped laying out the district's plans would make a decision easier for parents. 

The school district plan includes:

  • Requiring masks when social distancing isn't possible
  • Handwashing breaks throughout the day
  • Labeled seats in the cafeteria with no food sharing 
  • There will be no congregating
  • One directional hallways
  • Hand sanitizer in each classroom and bus

But even with the detailed plans, parents question how the return to school will work.

"Its a very difficult decision," said parent Yasmine Badawi. "But I’ll tell you, I don’t care if my kids pass or fail this year, I want my kids alive." 

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