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Alabama State Department of Education officials announced today that all K-12 schools intend to reopen this fall.

State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey said in a press conference that virtual school will also be available to all students, according to a story on AL.com.

“This is indeed going to be the most difficult school year we have ever faced,” he said in an AL.com article.

Mackey said that local school districts will handle how they will reopen. Escambia County Schools System Superintendent John Knott said Thursday that he intends to release his plan for reopening in a couple of weeks.

Additionally, all extra curricular activities will be resuming this fall with changes because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Alabama High School Athletic Association announced today that it’s reviewing the department of education’s roadmap to reopening schools.

The ALSDE, in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), developed its plan as a guidance document for the upcoming school year which is designed to help meet the health and safety challenges Alabama’s schools are currently facing concerning COVID-19, AHSAA officials said in a statement.

“We appreciate Dr. Mackey and his staff for their tireless efforts. I am looking forward to working with school administrators and with the AHSAA Football and Fall Sports committees which meet on July 7 in addition to the Alabama Football Coaches Association on July 8 to discuss the ALSDE Roadmap and the ADPH guidelines,” said AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese. “The AHSAA will continue to study and produce ‘Best Practices’ (in conjunction with the AHSAA Central Board, Medical Advisory Board, ALSDE and ADPH) and will present the recommendations to the central board at its July 22 meeting. The AHSAA is looking forward to hosting the Kickoff Classic at Cramton Bowl, which kicks off the 2020 football season Aug. 20-21.”

In mid March, all schools shut down because of the pandemic, sending students home for schooling.

See Wednesday’s paper for a complete story.