July 14, 2020

Correa & OC Delegation Request Briefing from School Board Over Its Decision to Reopen Schools

Washington, DC — Today, Congressman Lou Correa, joined by his Orange County Colleagues Representatives Harley Rouda (CA-48), Katie Porter (CA-45), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), and Gil Cisneros (CA-39) sent a letter to the Orange County Board of Education requesting a briefing over its decision to reopen schools this fall. In a letter, the Members expressed their concerns for the safety of students and their teachers and sought additional clarification over the Board’s recommendations.

The Members wrote, “Last night’s Board meeting highlighted the worries held by parents about their children’s sense of normalcy and emotional health. Just as valid are the concerns for children’s, teacher’s, and staff’s physical health. We are deeply concerned by the Board’s decision to not address the health threats that COVID-19 poses to our communities with its recommendations to reopen schools without the use of face masks, social distancing, or reduced class sizes.

“As of July 13, there were 1,382 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among individuals ages 0-17-years. Indeed, COVID-19 cases are on the rise in the County and its surrounding areas, so we also appreciate the Orange County Health Care Agency’s (HCA) involvement with the White Paper. We request a briefing with the Board and HCA to better understand the recommendations for schools reopening in the fall.”

The letter was signed by Reps. Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Gil Cisneros (CA-39), Katie Porter (CA-45), Lou Correa (CA-46), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Harley Rouda (CA-48), and Mike Levin (CA-49).

The full text of the letter can be found here.

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Rep. Lou Correa represents California’s 46th Congressional District. He serves as Chair of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, and as the Vice-Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. Read more here.