LUMBERTON — Gov. Roy Cooper’s decision to delay action on a plan to reopen of public schools has left the Public Schools of Robeson County waiting, with several options in place.

“We want our schools to be open for in-person instruction in August. The classroom is the best place for children to learn,” Cooper said Wednesday. “We are not issuing today a statewide directive of how schools should open in the fall, but we will soon.”

Initially, Cooper said he was going to unveil a plan for the reopening of schools on July 1, but his office announced Tuesday night that Wednesday’s briefing would not include that plan.

“Like all K-12 Public School Districts and Charter Schools throughout the state of North Carolina, the Public Schools of Robeson County is anxiously awaiting direction from Gov. Cooper on how the 2020-2021 Academic School Year will operate,” said Gordon Burnette, spokesperson for the Public Schools of Robeson County.

“As we continue to wait for guidance from Gov. Cooper, we realize that we are only six weeks away from the beginning of the 2020-2021 academic year. However, no matter what plan of operation the governor decides, the Public Schools of Robeson County are confident that we are properly prepared to educate and serve our students in the best way possible.”

Even with the reopening plan still in limbo, the school system has done its homework to prepare for whatever the plan is for the coming school year.

Burnette said the State Board of Education, through guidance from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, has approved three plans for the reopening of schools. One plan was minimal social distancing with classrooms at full capacity. Another plan was moderate social distancing where fewer students would be in the classroom together, and the third plan was remote learning only. Schools had to submit their plans on how they would execute each of the three scenarios.

“The Public Schools of Robeson County have worked diligently to construct curriculum plans for each scenario. We are happy to announce our remote learning plan was submitted to and approved by the North Carolina Board of Education,” Burnette said. “Our Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability Department are continuing to refine their curriculum plans. We’ve had many work sessions with curriculum supervisors, principals and have future work sessions planned with our Board of Education.”

The school district also is planning to use surveys to collect the opinions of parents and others on the community on the reopening issue, according to Burnette.

The school system has been in transition from its temporary office space on Kahn Drive to the renovated Janie C. Hargrave School, which will be the new central office in recent weeks.

“Our finance department and other various employees are already working there,” Burnette said. “We are hoping to fully move in our whole PSRC Central Office staff in the near future.”