By Ray King

On Thursday, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson talked about the reopening of schools for in-person instruction next month.

Friday, Barbara Warren, who is now the superintendent of both the Dollarway and Pine Bluff School Districts discussed the opening plans for both of those districts.

Warren appeared on the Oldies 101.3 morning show by telephone. She is currently quarantined after being exposed to COVID-19 and said that because of the way contact tracing works, “I just kind of met that situation for exposure so in an abundance of caution I am under quarantine.

Warren said she was symptom free and that about five other staff members who were also exposed are also being quarantined.

During the interview, Warren discussed the possibility of physical changes that might be necessary to provide social distancing and said the results of a parent survey that has been sent out will play a part in those decisions.

Warren said both districts have purchased P.P.E. (Personal Protection Equipment) and students and faculty will be required to wear face masks. She said the districts have also bought about five cloth face coverings for each student and faculty member that are washable and can be reused.

She said parents will have the option of sending their children physically back to school or allowing them to learn on line but stressed her belief that if the buildings are safe, the kids need to be in a class room.