Lucia Mar Unified School District to begin school year online with full distance learning

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. -- Lucia Mar Unified School District will start the upcoming school year with full distance learning in an online format.

The Lucia Mar Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the plan at a highly-anticipated meeting Tuesday night.

The move affects all of the district's nearly 11,000 students across its 19 different campuses.

In the board agenda report, district management recommended "Plan B" of a three-plan proposal for the upcoming opening of the 2020-21 schoool year.

Plan B featured a split day with AM/PM shifts, that included social distancing, enhanced disinfection and other COVID-19 prevention strategies.

The recommendation was based on guidance from the California Department of Education, the California Department of Public Health, as well as the advice from legal counsel.

Plan A was full reopening with enhanced disinfection and other COVID-19 prevention strategies, while Plan C was full distancing learning.

With COVID-19 cases rising dramatically across San Luis Obispo County, as well as the region and state, board members chose Plan B.

In an email sent out to parents following the meeting, the district said parents and students should expect much more rigorous, full day instruction.

It also said daily attendance will be required for all students, and the school schedule will more closely model the regular school day. 

As is did when the distancing learning started in the spring, the district will once again provide students with Chromebooks if needed.

Lucia Mar is also working to provide internet service for families that do have have current access to WiFi.

The district will return to in-class instruction when it is determined to be safe.

Food service will continue to be available to all students.

The email also included following message to parents and guardians, "Please understand that the decision making process was heart wrenching, and the Board of Education and district management recognize the challenges that lie ahead; we promise we will continue to do all we can to support our families, our students, and our staff as we continue to navigate these unprecedented times."

The move follows other California districts that have chosen recently to begin the school year with an online format, most notably, the Los Angeles Unified School District and the San Diego Unified School District.

Lucia Mar begins the upcoming school year on Aug. 13.