Gwinnett County Public Schools on Friday became perhaps the first in the state to announce its employees will return to work, some as early as next week, after the system shutdown in March over concerns about the coronavirus.
The decision does not affect students, who will continue to have school from home digitally.
“The implementation of sensible safety measures and precautions has resulted in a smooth transition from working remotely to working on-site at schools and offices,” the memo said. “Moving forward, GCPS will continue to call for strict social distancing and sanitation procedures to keep employees healthy and safe.”
In a memo share with employees Friday morning, the system said director-level staff and their clerical support teams will return to work Wednesday at the Instructional Support Center. Masks will be provided for employees when they return to work.
On May 11, all remaining center staff will return to work. On the same day, all school-based employees, except teachers, will report to their respective schools.
On May 18, teachers will report to their schools.
“In the final three days of digital learning, teachers will wrap up instruction and assist any student who needs to make up work,” the memo said. “They also will verify grades, close out classrooms, and assist in returning items to students.”
The system said it did not expect employees to put themselves at risk. Employees who have symptoms of COVID-19, who are quarantined or caring for someone in quarantine or who are caring for a child whose daycare is closed can apply for leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
The system also said it would follow current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by limiting the number of people in a building at one time and limiting people allowed in a single area to 10 as long as they can maintain six feet of distance from each other.
