HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. —  Hillsborough County Schools announced it will extend the deadline for parents with children in the district's schools to answer a survey regarding what options for learning they want for their children in the fall.

The deadline was extended to July 17. 

"In order to give our families more time to make the important decision about what option of learning they want for their student in the fall, we are extending the deadline for the Declaration of Intent until Friday, July 17," the district said in a release late Monday. 

Hillsborough Schools Superintendent Addison Davis also announced on Tuesday that students, teachers, and staff will be required to wear face masks for the start of the upcoming school year. 

The survey deadline extension from Hillsborough County Schools came just minutes before the state Department of Education issued an executive order mandating that the state's schools must reopen physical locations for in-person learning in the fall. 

State Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran's order said in part, "Upon reopening in August, all schools boards and chamber school governing boards must open brick and mortar schools at least 5 days per week to all students."

The order goes on to ask districts to:

  • Provide all services to students and families they would get in a typical year, including in-person instruction
  • Monitor student progress and share information with the Department of Education
  • Give students on an "individualized education program" the services they need to succeed.

The district also announced plans to hold a virtual town hall prior to the survey deadline so that parents could engage with Superintendent Addison Davis and gather more information in order to make the best decisions for their children.

Hillsborough's plan includes giving students the choice between going back to traditional school, continuing e-learning from home, or move in to the Florida virtual school program for home schooled students. 

The district needs a head count of students in each program so it can determine where teachers and staff will be needed. 

Prior to Monday's extension, parents would have needed to submit their declaration of intent by Friday. Although that intent isn't necessarily binding, the district said if many parents change their minds between this Friday and the start of school, it could cause an organizational nightmare.