Monday, August 03, 2020

Hogan issues order prohibiting blanket closure of private schools by Montgomery County

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) has issued an emergency order prohibiting Montgomery County from closing private schools this fall. The order, which applies to all counties, states that opening and closing decisions during the pandemic are to be made by local education authorities. Hogan's order asserts that private and parochial schools have the same authority to determine their ability to open, and that Montgomery County Health Officer Travis Gayles exceeded his authority in issuing his order late Friday evening.

"Over the last several weeks, school boards and superintendents made their own decisions about how and when to reopen public schools, after consultation with state and local health officials," Hogan wrote in a statement accompanying his emergency order. “Private and parochial schools deserve the same opportunity and flexibility to make reopening decisions based on public health guidelines. The blanket closure mandate imposed by Montgomery County was overly broad and inconsistent with the powers intended to be delegated to the county health officer."

After initially stating his opposition to Gayles' order over the weekend, Hogan has now taken action, entering what has become a contentious fight between private school parents and Montgomery County. The Republican governor, who has had to navigate a majority-blue state political sphere for two terms, is widely expected to be a candidate for president in 2024.

11 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:44 PM

    Based on all the news notifications I'm receiving tonight, Montgomery County has become a national embarrassment over this.

    Once again, Governor Hogan has to be the adult in the room.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:00 AM

      Can you provide some examples of where Montgomery County has become a national embarrassment? I am seeing a small amount of national coverage but not much, and most of it is fairly straightforward reporting of the events.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous6:38 AM

    It might be true that Travis Gayles exceeded his authority and Larry Hogan may be acting consistent with a legitimate ideology. However, once the opening of schools without proper testing and PPE proves to be the debacle everyone should have predicted, people will be properly judged for which side of the line they fell.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous11:12 AM

    Yep, It's about the Benjamins and something for Hogan's Republican resume for his Presidential run in 2024.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous12:31 PM

    Our local elected leaders continue to embarrass themselves. Some residents are asking about what the recall process is.

    Folks, please research before voting for our county leadership. We can't expect Hogan to bail us out of every bad decision coming from the County Council or Executive.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:18 PM

      Would you mind clarifying how our local leaders embarrassed themselves in this scenario?

      Who are the people asking about recall? Do you have names?

      Delete
  5. Anonymous7:25 PM

    The public schools are going to virtual curriculum because of legitimate public health concerns. Why don't private schools have those same concerns?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous7:56 PM

    Why are childless adultsaadults parents of public school students so concerned about what private schools are doing?

    The private schools are following all the CDC guidelines. If there was concern about spread, we should close bars and restaurants ASAP.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous4:15 PM

    Don’t we have separation of church and state?
    Hogan did the right thing

    All a concerted effort by lazy teachers who sat on arses all last year with a paycheck and want to continue

    Teachers union needs to be dismantled they are an arm of the DNC Socialist party

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous5:07 PM

    Regarding the poster above who cited legitimate health concerns for closing? What authority do you cite? Every doctor and even CDC states that there is little concern for children returning. The downside of closing is that children have suffered parental abuse, mental health issues etc by closing.

    The teachers unions only care about hurting The President.
    If schools return closed, cut off teacher salaries. Why should I be paying taxes for teachers who don't want to work.

    That will get them back to work.

    I switched my public school children to a Catholic elementary school. I believe this is the real reason for this order by hysterical and politicized Travis.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous5:11 PM

    So for those keeping score

    Schools Bad
    Catholic Church bad
    Cutting hair bad
    Gyms bad
    Going to work Bad

    Teachers protesting in mobs good
    Rioters and looters burning good

    Anything that gets hidin Biden the racist ( Blacks are not diverse like Hispanics) elected all good

    Kids be damned

    ReplyDelete