By Ray King

The outgoing superintendent of the Pine Bluff School District said Monday said the effects of COVID-19 have had an effect on how schools around the country, the state and in Pine Bluff have operated and will continue to have an effect in the future.

Dr. Jeremy Owoh appeared on the Oldies 101.3 morning show with Greg Horne and Will Jenkins.

Owoh said that even if classroom instruction begins, there will be parents who will not send their children back to class and the district is preparing to educate those students as well.

“We’re looking at what the virtual environment will look like as well and we will be prepared for both situations,” he said.

He said that some teachers had already used material on-line and when the schools were closed in the spring, they were able to use Google Classroom for high school students as well as some in junior high.

“If we have to move to a virtual environment that’s the type of transition we want to be able to go with,” he said. “Something teachers, students and parents are familiar with.

Owoh also said he expected that in-class instruction will happen later this year.

He also said that he believes that the protests over the past few weeks will have a positive effect on students as they return to class because it let young people “stand up for what is right.”

Owoh’s final day the district is June 30 and he begins his new job with the Little Rock School District July 1.